CVE-2023-37320 in DAP-2622
Summary
by MITRE • 05/04/2024
D-Link DAP-2622 DDP Set SSID List SSID Name Stack-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of D-Link DAP-2622 routers. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the DDP service. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a fixed-length stack-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root. . Was ZDI-CAN-20098.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2024
The CVE-2023-37320 vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in D-Link DAP-2622 wireless routers that exposes a remote code execution capability. This vulnerability specifically affects the DDP (D-Link Device Protocol) service component within the router's firmware, making it accessible to attackers who are merely adjacent to the network rather than requiring physical access or authentication credentials. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly check the length of user-supplied data before transferring it into a fixed-size stack buffer, creating a predictable exploitation vector. The vulnerability has been assigned the ZDI-CAN-20098 identifier, indicating its recognition within the cybersecurity community and the coordinated disclosure process. This issue demonstrates a classic software security weakness where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a stack-based buffer overflow condition that enables attackers to overwrite return addresses and function pointers within the router's memory space. When the DDP service processes a malformed SSID name parameter, the system fails to validate the input length against the allocated buffer size, allowing excessive data to be copied into the stack. This overflow can overwrite the saved return address of the calling function, enabling an attacker to redirect execution flow to malicious code injected into the buffer. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that no authentication is required for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in network environments where attackers can access the router's administrative interface without credentials. The attack surface is further expanded because the DAP-2622 router's DDP service is accessible over the network, allowing remote exploitation from adjacent network segments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to potentially compromise entire network infrastructures. Since the exploitation occurs in the context of root privileges, successful attackers can gain complete control over the affected router, enabling them to modify network configurations, intercept traffic, establish persistent backdoors, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate device but can also serve as a launching point for broader network infiltration attacks, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where these routers may be deployed in critical network segments. The lack of authentication requirements means that attackers do not need to perform credential guessing or other reconnaissance activities, significantly reducing the attack complexity and increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1021 for remote services.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates from D-Link, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The recommended approach involves disabling unnecessary services, implementing strict firewall rules, and conducting network scans to identify affected devices. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems capable of detecting malformed DDP protocol traffic and monitoring for signs of buffer overflow exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in embedded systems, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of network infrastructure devices. Organizations should also review their network access controls and implement multi-factor authentication mechanisms where possible to reduce the attack surface. Regular security audits of network infrastructure components remain essential for identifying similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other network devices within the enterprise environment.