CVE-2023-27014 in AC10
Summary
by MITRE • 04/07/2023
Tenda AC10 US_AC10V4.0si_V16.03.10.13_cn was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the sub_46AC38 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 • 11/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-27014 affects the Tenda AC10 US_AC10V4.0si_V16.03.10.13_cn firmware version, representing a critical stack overflow condition within the sub_46AC38 function. This flaw resides in the router's firmware implementation and demonstrates a classic buffer management issue that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized system control. The stack overflow vulnerability occurs when the function processes input data without proper bounds checking, allowing maliciously crafted payloads to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in network appliances as they can be triggered through network-based attacks without requiring physical access or authentication.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns for stack-based buffer overflows, where attacker-controlled input exceeds the allocated buffer space and corrupts the stack memory layout. The sub_46AC38 function appears to handle network packet processing or configuration parameter parsing, making it a prime target for remote code execution attacks. When the vulnerable function receives crafted input, it fails to validate the input length against the allocated buffer size, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which represents a fundamental weakness in memory management practices and is commonly exploited in network device attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through memory corruption, potentially enabling attackers to achieve persistent access to the affected device.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-27014 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected router. This compromise can lead to complete device takeover, enabling malicious actors to modify network configurations, redirect traffic through malicious proxies, or establish persistent backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability affects the router's core functionality and can result in unauthorized network access, data interception, or disruption of critical network services. Network administrators face significant risk as compromised routers can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration, potentially allowing attackers to move laterally across the enterprise network and access sensitive systems. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device, making it particularly concerning for enterprise and home network environments where routers are often deployed without proper security hardening.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-27014 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Tenda, as the vendor is likely to release patches addressing the stack overflow condition. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of compromised devices and monitor network traffic for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing strong access controls for router management interfaces, and regularly auditing network device configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and other security frameworks. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive network monitoring to detect unauthorized access or configuration changes that might indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability.