CVE-2022-45643 in AC6
Summary
by MITRE • 12/02/2022
Tenda AC6V1.0 V15.03.05.19 was discovered to contain a buffer overflow via the deviceId parameter in the addWifiMacFilter function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-45643 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Tenda AC6V1.0 router firmware version V15.03.05.19. This issue manifests through the deviceId parameter in the addWifiMacFilter function, creating a potential pathway for remote code execution and system compromise. The affected device operates under the broader context of wireless networking equipment where proper input validation and memory management are paramount for maintaining system integrity and security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the addWifiMacFilter function. When processing the deviceId parameter, the firmware fails to properly validate the length of input data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs when user-supplied data exceeds the allocated buffer space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information. The flaw directly maps to CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory regions beyond the intended buffer boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise and unauthorized access capabilities. An attacker exploiting this buffer overflow could potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, gain persistent access to the affected router, or manipulate network traffic routing. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that malicious actors need not have physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise and residential network environments where wireless access points serve as primary network entry points. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries can leverage such vulnerabilities to establish persistent backdoors.
Security professionals should consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within network infrastructure security frameworks, particularly when assessing the risk of remote exploitation in wireless access point deployments. The presence of such flaws in consumer-grade networking equipment highlights the critical need for robust firmware security practices and regular vulnerability assessments. Mitigation strategies must include immediate firmware updates from Tenda, network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper input validation mechanisms and adopting secure coding practices during firmware development can prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in future iterations of the software.
The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws in network device firmware can create substantial security risks that affect millions of end users. It underscores the importance of security-by-design principles in embedded systems development and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar flaws in other network devices and ensure that firmware update mechanisms are functioning properly to maintain security postures against evolving threats.