CVE-2022-32052 in TOTOLINK
Summary
by MITRE • 07/01/2022
TOTOLINK T6 V4.1.9cu.5179_B20201015 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the desc parameter in the function FUN_004137a4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-32052 represents a critical stack overflow flaw within the TOTOLINK T6 router firmware version T6 V4.1.9cu.5179_B20201015. This issue manifests through the desc parameter within the function FUN_004137a4, which processes user-supplied input without proper validation or bounds checking. The stack overflow vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits maliciously crafted input to the desc parameter, causing the program to write beyond the allocated stack buffer space. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The affected firmware version indicates this vulnerability has persisted for several years, suggesting a lack of proper security testing and patch management within the vendor's update cycle.
The operational impact of this stack overflow vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the affected device, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the program flow by overwriting return addresses and function pointers stored on the stack, which aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution. Successful exploitation could result in persistent backdoor access, data exfiltration, or the ability to redirect network traffic through the compromised router. The stack overflow could also cause system crashes or reboots, potentially leading to denial of service conditions that affect network availability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from the vendor, as the security patch would address the buffer overflow by implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the vulnerable function. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that should be addressed through secure coding guidelines such as those recommended by the CERT/CC Secure Coding Standards, particularly focusing on buffer management and input sanitization. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability, as the exploitation pattern would likely involve sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the router's web interface. Additionally, network administrators should disable unnecessary services and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the router's administrative interface to reduce the attack surface.