CVE-2022-46531 in F1203
Summary
by MITRE • 12/20/2022
Tenda F1203 V2.0.1.6 was discovered to contain a buffer overflow via the deviceId parameter at /goform/addWifiMacFilter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-46531 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Tenda F1203 V2.0.1.6 wireless router firmware. This issue manifests through the deviceId parameter in the /goform/addWifiMacFilter endpoint, which processes MAC address filtering configurations for wireless network access control. The flaw exists in the firmware's handling of user-supplied input data, specifically when the deviceId parameter exceeds the allocated buffer size during processing. This vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The affected device operates with a web-based administrative interface that accepts the deviceId parameter through a form submission, making it susceptible to exploitation via crafted HTTP requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected router through a carefully crafted buffer overflow attack. When the deviceId parameter contains more data than the allocated buffer can accommodate, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting program execution flow or injecting malicious code. The router's web server processes this input without adequate validation or sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate the stack pointer and potentially redirect execution to malicious code. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves command and scripting interpreter usage, and represents a privilege escalation vector that could allow attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to the network device. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of wireless MAC address filtering configurations, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited to compromise network security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete network compromise and persistent access to the affected infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain root access to the router's operating system, enabling them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, install backdoors, or establish persistent command and control channels. The vulnerability affects all devices running Tenda F1203 V2.0.1.6 firmware, potentially exposing thousands of network endpoints to compromise. Network administrators lose control over wireless access policies and device management functions, while the affected network becomes vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, data exfiltration, and lateral movement by adversaries. This flaw particularly impacts enterprise and residential networks where the router serves as a critical gateway device, potentially allowing attackers to pivot into internal network segments and escalate their privileges to gain access to sensitive systems and data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-46531 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Tenda, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific buffer overflow vulnerability. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, while monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation controls can help detect and prevent malicious requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint, although these measures are secondary to firmware updates. Regular vulnerability assessments should include checking for outdated firmware versions on all network devices, particularly those with web interfaces. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary web management interfaces when possible and implementing strong authentication controls to reduce the attack surface. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual patterns in MAC address filtering configurations, which could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and buffer management in embedded systems, emphasizing that network infrastructure devices require the same security rigor as other critical systems. Organizations should establish firmware update policies that ensure timely deployment of security patches while maintaining operational continuity.