CVE-2023-0617 in TEW-811DRU
Summary
by MITRE • 02/01/2023
A vulnerability was found in TRENDNet TEW-811DRU 1.0.10.0. It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown part of the file /wireless/guestnetwork.asp of the component httpd. The manipulation leads to buffer overflow. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-219957 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0617 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the TRENDNet TEW-811DRU wireless router firmware version 1.0.10.0. This device operates a web-based management interface that utilizes an httpd web server component to handle user requests and configuration updates. The vulnerability specifically resides within the /wireless/guestnetwork.asp file, which is responsible for managing guest network configuration parameters through the web interface. The buffer overflow occurs when the httpd component processes user-supplied input without proper bounds checking, allowing an attacker to exceed the allocated buffer space and potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, which is classified as a critical weakness in software design that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The flaw manifests when the web server component fails to validate the length of input parameters submitted through the guest network configuration interface, particularly affecting parameters related to guest network settings. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending maliciously crafted HTTP requests to the affected router's web interface, leveraging the buffer overflow to overwrite memory structures and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process. This remote exploitation capability significantly amplifies the threat surface, as attackers do not require physical access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized control over the affected router. Successful exploitation could allow adversaries to modify network configurations, disable security features, redirect traffic through malicious servers, or establish persistent backdoors for future access. The vulnerability affects the core network infrastructure component, potentially compromising the entire network segment connected to the router. Given that this is a remote attack vector, it poses significant risk to organizations and individuals who rely on the device for network connectivity, as attackers could exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring local network access.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through firmware updates provided by TRENDNet, as the exploit has been publicly disclosed and is actively being used in the wild. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of compromise, monitor network traffic for suspicious activity related to the affected device, and consider temporarily disabling guest network functionality until a patch is applied. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1068 for local privilege escalation, as exploitation could enable attackers to move laterally within networks and potentially escalate privileges to gain full administrative control over the affected device and its connected network. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other network devices.