CVE-2022-45646 in AC6
Summary
by MITRE • 12/02/2022
Tenda AC6V1.0 V15.03.05.19 was discovered to contain a buffer overflow via the limitSpeedUp parameter in the formSetClientState function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-45646 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Tenda AC6V1.0 router firmware version V15.03.05.19. This issue resides in the formSetClientState function where the limitSpeedUp parameter is processed without adequate input validation or bounds checking. The buffer overflow occurs when an attacker provides malicious input to this parameter, potentially causing the router's memory management to be compromised. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in network infrastructure devices such as routers because it can lead to arbitrary code execution or complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability enables an attacker to manipulate the router's memory layout by sending specially crafted requests to the affected parameter. When the limitSpeedUp value exceeds the allocated buffer space, it overflows into adjacent memory segments, potentially corrupting critical program execution flow. This vulnerability can be leveraged through remote network access, making it particularly concerning for enterprise and home network environments. The attack surface is broad as the affected parameter is likely exposed through web-based administrative interfaces or API endpoints that manage client device configurations. The vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1210, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in software to gain unauthorized access to systems, and T1059, which covers command and control through remote access capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-45646 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable full system compromise of affected Tenda AC6V1.0 devices. Once exploited, attackers could gain persistent access to network infrastructure, potentially leading to man-in-the-middle attacks, data exfiltration, or use of the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other network segments. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise networks that may unknowingly include these devices, creating potential security gaps in larger network architectures. Organizations should consider the broader implications of such vulnerabilities in their network security posture, particularly when these devices are deployed in environments where they may be exposed to untrusted network traffic or where network segmentation is not properly implemented.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Tenda to address the buffer overflow condition in the formSetClientState function. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit the exposure of these devices to potentially malicious traffic and consider disabling unnecessary web management interfaces. Input validation controls should be implemented at network boundaries to filter out malformed requests targeting the affected parameter. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices, particularly those running outdated firmware versions. Organizations should maintain comprehensive inventories of all network devices and their firmware versions to quickly identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their infrastructure. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual traffic patterns or exploitation attempts targeting known vulnerabilities can provide early warning capabilities for such attacks.