CVE-2022-41522 in NR1800X
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2022
TOTOLINK NR1800X V9.1.0u.6279_B20210910 was discovered to contain an unauthenticated stack overflow via the "main" function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41522 affects the TOTOLINK NR1800X router firmware version V9.1.0u.6279_B20210910, representing a critical security flaw that exposes the device to unauthorized exploitation. This issue stems from improper input validation within the device's web interface handling mechanism, specifically targeting the "main" function that processes incoming requests. The vulnerability manifests as an unauthenticated stack buffer overflow, meaning that any remote attacker can exploit this flaw without requiring prior authentication credentials, making the attack surface particularly dangerous for networked devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow condition where user-supplied input is directly copied into a fixed-size stack buffer without adequate bounds checking. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The flaw occurs in the firmware's web server component that handles HTTP requests, specifically when processing parameters sent to the main function through web interface calls. The stack overflow vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a significant weakness in the software's memory management practices. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain full control over the affected device, potentially using techniques such as return-oriented programming or direct code injection to execute malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to network infrastructure and potentially use the compromised router as a pivot point for further attacks within the local network. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution, as attackers can leverage the compromised device to execute commands. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that network administrators cannot rely on authentication barriers to prevent exploitation, and the vulnerability affects all users of the specific firmware version regardless of their security awareness or configuration practices. Organizations may face severe consequences including data breaches, network disruption, and potential use as a launching point for larger cyber operations targeting connected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-41522 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from TOTOLINK to address the underlying buffer overflow condition. Network administrators must ensure that all affected devices are updated to the latest firmware version that contains patches for this vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in embedded systems, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of network device firmware. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts. Regular firmware updates and security assessments of network infrastructure remain critical defensive measures against similar vulnerabilities, particularly given the prevalence of unpatched embedded devices in enterprise and consumer networks.