CVE-2023-24166 in AC18
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
Tenda AC18 V15.03.05.19 is vulnerable to Buffer Overflow via /goform/formWifiBasicSet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-24166 affects the Tenda AC18 wireless router model running firmware version V15.03.05.19 and represents a critical buffer overflow condition that can be exploited through the /goform/formWifiBasicSet web interface endpoint. This flaw resides within the router's web application handling mechanism where insufficient input validation occurs when processing user-supplied data sent to the specific form endpoint. The buffer overflow vulnerability allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the router's processing stack, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a widely deployed consumer-grade wireless router model that typically operates in untrusted network environments where attackers may have access to the local network.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from improper bounds checking within the web application's handling of form data submitted through the /goform/formWifiBasicSet endpoint. When the router processes incoming HTTP POST requests containing parameters related to wireless configuration settings, the application fails to validate the length of input data against predefined buffer boundaries. This lack of input sanitization creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can craft malicious payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption and potentially allowing execution of arbitrary code within the router's memory space. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions in stack-based buffers, and represents a classic example of unsafe string handling in embedded web applications. The attack vector requires network access to the router's web interface and typically involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests that trigger the buffer overflow condition during parameter processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions and presents significant security risks to organizations and individual users. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to the router, allowing them to modify wireless settings, disable security features, redirect traffic through malicious proxies, or even install persistent backdoors. The compromised router could then serve as a pivot point for attacking other devices on the local network or be used to launch broader attacks against external targets. This vulnerability particularly affects the router's authentication and authorization mechanisms, potentially undermining the security posture of the entire network infrastructure. From an adversarial perspective, the vulnerability follows ATT&CK technique T1072 which involves using remote services to gain access to systems, and T1059 which encompasses the execution of commands through web interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-24166 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Tenda's official website, as the manufacturer has likely released patches addressing this specific buffer overflow condition. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, while also monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary web management interfaces when not actively required, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly auditing router configurations to ensure no unauthorized modifications have occurred. The vulnerability highlights the importance of embedded system security practices and proper input validation in network infrastructure devices, as highlighted in industry standards such as the OWASP Top 10 for web applications and NIST SP 800-160 guidelines for secure system development. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns associated with buffer overflow exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive network monitoring to detect potential compromise of affected devices.