CVE-2022-45652 in AC6
Summary
by MITRE • 12/02/2022
Tenda AC6V1.0 V15.03.05.19 was discovered to contain a buffer overflow via the startIp parameter in the formSetPPTPServer function.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-45652 affects the Tenda AC6V1.0 router firmware version V15.03.05.19, representing a critical buffer overflow condition that resides within the web interface handling logic. This issue manifests through the startIp parameter within the formSetPPTPServer function, which processes configuration data submitted through the device's administrative web portal. The buffer overflow vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and bounds checking when processing user-supplied data, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected device. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when more data is written to a buffer than it can accommodate, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations.
The technical flaw stems from improper handling of the startIp parameter during PPTP server configuration operations, where the firmware fails to validate the length or content of the input before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This condition allows an attacker to craft a malicious payload that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing a stack overflow that can overwrite return addresses and other critical program state information. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it creates opportunities for remote code execution and complete system compromise. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the router's administrative interface, potentially leading to full control over network traffic routing, modification of security settings, or even installation of persistent backdoors.
The exploitation of CVE-2022-45652 aligns with techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under the T1210 technique for exploitation of remote services, where attackers target vulnerabilities in network infrastructure devices to establish persistent access points. This vulnerability particularly impacts enterprise and home networks that rely on Tenda routers for internet connectivity, as it can be exploited without requiring authentication credentials. The affected firmware version represents a common issue in embedded networking equipment where security considerations are often secondary to feature implementation, creating a significant risk for organizations that have not updated their router firmware or implemented network segmentation measures. Network administrators should consider this vulnerability in the context of the broader landscape of IoT security weaknesses, where similar buffer overflow conditions have been identified in numerous networking devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Tenda's official support channels, as well as network-level defenses such as firewall rules that restrict access to the router's administrative interfaces. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and regular vulnerability scanning of network infrastructure can help prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation practices and adheres to security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the risk of injection flaws that can lead to remote code execution in network devices. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for anomalous traffic patterns indicative of exploitation attempts against known vulnerable devices.