CVE-2023-40799 in AC23
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2023
Tenda AC23 Vv16.03.07.45_cn AC23 is vulnerable to Buffer via sub_450A4C function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2026
The Tenda AC23 V16.03.07.45_CN wireless router firmware contains a critical buffer overflow vulnerability within the sub_450A4C function that presents significant security risks to network infrastructure. This vulnerability arises from improper input validation and memory management practices within the router's firmware code, specifically affecting how the device processes certain network requests or configuration parameters. The buffer overflow occurs when user-supplied data exceeds the allocated memory space within the sub_450A4C function, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and execute arbitrary code on the affected device.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient bounds checking in the firmware's handling of network traffic or administrative commands. When malicious input is processed by this vulnerable function, it can corrupt stack memory or overwrite critical program variables, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which represents a classic and dangerous class of memory corruption vulnerabilities that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature and commonly exploited in various attack scenarios. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring physical access to the device.
The operational impact of this buffer overflow vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable full system compromise and persistent access to network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain root access to the router, allowing them to modify network configurations, intercept traffic, establish backdoors, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network perimeter. The attack surface is particularly broad given that routers typically serve as central points of network control and often have elevated privileges within local networks. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where an attacker could leverage the compromised device to execute commands and maintain persistence.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Tenda to address the buffer overflow in the sub_450A4C function. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit potential exploitation paths, along with monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services on the router, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly auditing network configurations to detect any unauthorized modifications that might result from successful exploitation of this vulnerability. The vulnerability underscores the importance of firmware security testing and proper input validation practices in embedded systems development, as highlighted in industry best practices for secure software development lifecycle implementations.