CVE-2022-45957 in ZXHN-H108NS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2022
ZTE ZXHN-H108NS router with firmware version H108NSV1.0.7u_ZRD_GR2_A68 is vulnerable to remote stack buffer overflow.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2025
The ZTE ZXHN-H108NS router represents a critical network infrastructure device that serves as a gateway for residential and small office users connecting to the internet. This particular model operates with firmware version H108NSV1.0.7u_ZRD_GR2_A68, which contains a remote stack buffer overflow vulnerability that can be exploited by attackers without authentication. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the router's web interface handling mechanisms, specifically affecting the processing of HTTP requests that are directed to the device's management interface. This flaw allows an attacker to send maliciously crafted payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space on the stack, leading to potential memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of user-supplied data within the router's HTTP server component. When the device receives HTTP requests containing oversized parameters or malformed input, it fails to properly validate the length of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic programming error creates a condition where an attacker can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures. The vulnerability is classified as a stack-based buffer overflow under CWE-121, which directly maps to the weakness category for buffer overflows that occur on the stack. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from outside the local network without requiring physical access or prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation, as it can enable attackers to gain full control over the affected router and potentially compromise the entire network infrastructure. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the router's web server process, which typically runs with elevated permissions. This access can lead to complete network takeover, enabling man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS hijacking, traffic interception, and the installation of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to use the compromised device as a pivot point for further network reconnaissance and lateral movement against connected devices. According to ATT&CK framework category T1071.005 for application layer protocol usage, this vulnerability could facilitate command and control communications through the compromised device, while T1566 for credential harvesting may be possible if the router stores authentication information in accessible memory regions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates provided by ZTE, which would include proper input validation and buffer boundary checks. Network administrators should implement perimeter defenses such as firewalls that restrict access to the router's management interfaces from untrusted networks, while also considering network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments of embedded network devices, as outlined in industry standards for secure software development lifecycle processes. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous behavior patterns consistent with buffer overflow exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual HTTP request patterns that might indicate attempts to exploit this specific vulnerability.