CVE-2023-25219 in AC5
Summary
by MITRE • 04/07/2023
Tenda AC5 US_AC5V1.0RTL_V15.03.06.28 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the fromDhcpListClient function. This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-25219 represents a critical stack overflow condition within the Tenda AC5 US_AC5V1.0RTL_V15.03.06.28 wireless router firmware. This flaw manifests specifically within the fromDhcpListClient function, which processes DHCP client information during network operations. The stack overflow vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the firmware's DHCP handling subsystem. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious DHCP responses or client information packets that exceed the allocated stack buffer space, leading to unpredictable memory corruption patterns. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a high-risk vulnerability due to its potential for arbitrary code execution or system instability. This issue directly impacts the router's ability to maintain stable network operations and can be leveraged by threat actors to compromise the entire network infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this stack overflow vulnerability enables attackers to execute remote code execution or induce denial of service conditions on the affected device. When the fromDhcpListClient function processes malformed input data, the excessive data overflows the designated stack buffer, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This memory corruption can result in a crash of the router's DHCP service or provide attackers with the opportunity to inject and execute malicious code within the router's memory space. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, where attackers can leverage buffer overflows to gain unauthorized control over network devices. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the compromised device can serve as a foothold for lateral movement within the network, potentially enabling further attacks against connected systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-25219 poses significant risks to network security and availability for organizations relying on affected Tenda AC5 devices. Network administrators may experience unexpected service interruptions when attackers exploit the denial of service component, while the arbitrary code execution capability presents a more severe threat to overall network security. The vulnerability affects devices running firmware version US_AC5V1.0RTL_V15.03.06.28, making it particularly concerning for enterprise networks where multiple routers may be simultaneously vulnerable. Organizations with limited network monitoring capabilities may not detect exploitation attempts until service degradation occurs, creating potential blind spots for threat detection. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal network access and can be automated, making it attractive to both opportunistic attackers and organized threat groups seeking to compromise network infrastructure. The affected devices may also be vulnerable to persistent backdoor installation, allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to the compromised network environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-25219 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Tenda to address the identified stack overflow vulnerability. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical systems and establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual DHCP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of DHCP snooping and dynamic ARP inspection can help prevent malicious DHCP responses from reaching vulnerable devices. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling unnecessary DHCP services and implementing network access controls to limit the attack surface. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in network infrastructure components. The security community should also monitor for potential exploits targeting this vulnerability and consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to detect buffer overflow patterns in network traffic. Organizations should maintain comprehensive incident response procedures that account for router compromise scenarios and establish clear protocols for device recovery and network reconfiguration following successful exploitation attempts.