CVE-2023-25233 in AC500
Summary
by MITRE • 02/27/2023
Tenda AC500 V2.0.1.9(1307) is vulnerable to Buffer Overflow in function fromRouteStatic via parameters entrys and mitInterface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-25233 affects the Tenda AC500 router firmware version 2.0.1.9(1307) and represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the device's web management interface. This flaw exists in the function named fromRouteStatic which processes incoming parameters through the entrys and mitInterface variables, creating an exploitable condition that could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected device. The buffer overflow occurs when the router fails to properly validate or limit the size of user-supplied input data, specifically within the routing static configuration handling functionality. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it resides in the web interface component that administrators and users interact with directly, making it accessible over the network without requiring physical access to the device.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from improper input validation within the fromRouteStatic function where the entrys and mitInterface parameters are processed without adequate bounds checking. When an attacker sends maliciously crafted input data through these parameters, the router's memory allocation routines fail to account for the excessive data size, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory in a controlled manner. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-787, heap-based buffer overflow, as the memory corruption could potentially be exploited to redirect program execution flow through return address manipulation or function pointer overwrites. The attack surface is widened by the fact that this vulnerability exists in the web interface, meaning exploitation can occur remotely over HTTP/HTTPS connections without requiring authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios as it enables full remote code execution capabilities on the affected router. An attacker who successfully exploits this buffer overflow could gain complete administrative control over the device, potentially leading to unauthorized network access, data interception, or use of the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The router's role as a network gateway makes it a particularly attractive target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or conduct man-in-the-middle attacks. Network traffic could be monitored, modified, or redirected through the compromised device, while the attacker could also potentially disable security features or install malicious firmware. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which describes the use of command and scripting interpreter for remote code execution, and T1566.001, which addresses the exploitation of remote services through web application vulnerabilities. The attack could be facilitated through various methods including HTTP POST requests containing malformed parameters or through crafted web forms that trigger the vulnerable function during normal administrative operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-25233 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Tenda as the primary remediation approach, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing the buffer overflow condition. Network administrators should implement strict access controls limiting who can reach the router's web interface, using firewall rules to restrict access to specific IP addresses or ranges. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary web services, implementing network segmentation to isolate critical systems, and monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malicious parameter patterns associated with buffer overflow exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and secure coding practices, particularly in network device firmware where the attack surface is broad and persistent access can have severe consequences. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other devices, as the same coding patterns that lead to this vulnerability may exist in other components of the router firmware or related network equipment.