CVE-2022-45517 in W30E
Summary
by MITRE • 12/08/2022
Tenda W30E V1.0.1.25(633) was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the page parameter at /goform/VirtualSer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-45517 affects the Tenda W30E router model running firmware version V1.0.1.25(633) and represents a critical stack overflow condition within the web interface management system. This issue manifests through the page parameter in the /goform/VirtualSer endpoint, which serves as the primary interface for configuring virtual serial port settings. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the firmware's web server component, specifically when processing user-supplied data through the affected parameter.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malformed page parameter value that exceeds the allocated stack buffer size. This condition results in a classic stack buffer overflow scenario where adjacent memory locations become overwritten with attacker-controlled data. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical security weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The stack overflow can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the affected device, as the overflow corrupts the return address and control flow of the executing program.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it provides potential attackers with a pathway to gain unauthorized access to the router's administrative functions. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability remotely through the web interface, potentially leading to complete compromise of the device. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists in the device's management interface, which is typically accessible from external networks. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210 for exploiting weaknesses in remote services and T1072 for using remote services to gain access.
Successful exploitation of CVE-2022-45517 could enable attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to persistent access, data exfiltration, or use of the device as a pivot point for further network attacks. The vulnerability affects the router's ability to maintain secure communication channels and could result in unauthorized configuration changes that compromise network security. Given that many home and small office routers remain unpatched due to user apathy or lack of awareness, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network infrastructure. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit exposure and ensure that firmware updates are applied promptly to address this and similar vulnerabilities. The issue highlights the importance of input validation and proper memory management in embedded systems, particularly those handling network communications and administrative functions.