CVE-2022-37080 in A7000R
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2022
TOTOLINK A7000R V9.1.0u.6115_B20201022 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the command parameter at setting/setTracerouteCfg.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-37080 affects the TOTOLINK A7000R router firmware version V9.1.0u.6115_B20201022, representing a critical stack overflow condition that arises from improper input validation within the web interface configuration handling. This flaw exists within the specific endpoint setting/setTracerouteCfg which processes the command parameter, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected device. The stack overflow occurs when the system fails to properly sanitize or limit the length of user-supplied input passed through the command parameter, allowing malicious actors to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the router's insufficient bounds checking and input validation mechanisms within its web administration interface. When a user submits a specially crafted payload through the traceroute configuration settings, the system does not adequately validate the length or content of the command parameter, resulting in a buffer overflow that can corrupt the program's execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function parameters. The flaw specifically manifests in the handling of network diagnostic commands within the router's management interface, making it particularly dangerous as it provides access to core system functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it creates a potential pathway for complete system compromise and unauthorized access to the affected router. Attackers can exploit this condition to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially gaining root access to the device and enabling further reconnaissance or lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the router's administrative interface, which typically operates with elevated privileges, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking persistent access to network infrastructure. This condition can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, as the vulnerable endpoint is accessible through the standard web management interface, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-37080 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from TOTOLINK to address the stack overflow condition through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, while also considering the deployment of intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices including input validation, bounds checking, and proper memory management in embedded systems, particularly those with web-based administrative interfaces. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure to identify other potentially affected devices and implement network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the use of network access control lists and firewall rules can help limit the exposure of management interfaces to only trusted administrative networks, reducing the attack surface for this and similar vulnerabilities.