CVE-2022-37175 in AC15
Summary
by MITRE • 08/20/2022
Tenda ac15 firmware V15.03.05.18 httpd server has stack buffer overflow in /goform/formWifiBasicSet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-37175 affects the Tenda ac15 wireless router firmware version 15.03.05.18 and represents a critical stack buffer overflow condition within the httpd web server component. This flaw exists specifically in the /goform/formWifiBasicSet endpoint, which handles wireless configuration parameters submitted through the web interface. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and bounds checking when processing user-supplied data in the HTTP request parameters. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP requests containing oversized data payloads that exceed the allocated stack buffer space, leading to memory corruption and potential arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-controllable input within the web server's form processing logic. When the httpd server receives requests to the /goform/formWifiBasicSet endpoint, it fails to properly validate the length of incoming parameters before copying them into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic buffer overflow scenario allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer within the web server process, making it accessible through standard HTTP communications without requiring physical access to the device or specialized network conditions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to network security and device integrity. An unauthenticated remote attacker can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the affected router, potentially gaining full administrative control over the device. The compromised router could then be used as a pivot point for attacking internal network resources, serving as a persistent backdoor for continued unauthorized access. Additionally, attackers could manipulate wireless configuration parameters to disrupt network services, redirect traffic, or establish malicious communication channels that persist even after device reboots. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise, as compromised routers often serve as critical infrastructure points within home and small office networks.
Security mitigations for CVE-2022-37175 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Tenda to address the buffer overflow condition. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a fundamental software security flaw requiring proper input validation and memory management practices. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as exploitation may involve crafting malicious web requests that trigger the vulnerable code path. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter suspicious requests to the affected endpoint and establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar issues in other network infrastructure components. The remediation process requires careful attention to ensure that firmware updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing network configurations while maintaining the device's operational integrity.