CVE-2022-43003 in DIR-816 A2
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2022
D-Link DIR-816 A2 1.10 B05 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the pskValue parameter in the setRepeaterSecurity function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-43003 affects D-Link DIR-816 A2 firmware version 1.10 B05 and represents a critical stack overflow condition within the device's web interface handling. This issue manifests through the pskValue parameter in the setRepeaterSecurity function, which processes wireless security settings for the router's repeater functionality. The stack overflow vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits maliciously crafted input to the pskValue parameter, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the affected device. This vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory corruption flaw that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper validation and handling of user-supplied input within the wireless security configuration endpoint. When the setRepeaterSecurity function processes the pskValue parameter without adequate bounds checking, it fails to validate the length of incoming data before copying it to a fixed-size stack buffer. This allows an attacker to overflow the buffer and overwrite the stack frame, potentially redirecting execution flow to malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the web administration interface, making it accessible to remote attackers who can exploit it without requiring physical access to the device. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210, which covers exploitation of remote services and web applications to achieve code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable complete compromise of the affected router. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain persistent access to the network, potentially using the device as a pivot point for further attacks against internal network resources. The router's role as a network gateway makes it a valuable target for attackers seeking to establish persistent presence within a network environment. The vulnerability also poses risks to network integrity and confidentiality, as the attacker could modify network settings, intercept traffic, or redirect connections to malicious endpoints. Furthermore, the compromised device could be used to launch attacks against other networked systems, making it a potential vector for lateral movement and network infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from D-Link, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific stack overflow condition. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of exploitation, particularly by restricting access to the router's web interface to trusted network segments only. Additional protective measures include monitoring network traffic for suspicious patterns related to repeated security configuration requests and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper bounds checking in embedded web applications, reinforcing industry best practices outlined in standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Organizations should also consider conducting vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar issues in other network devices that may be susceptible to similar stack overflow conditions in their web interfaces.