CVE-2023-41209 in DAP-1325
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
D-Link DAP-1325 SetHostIPv6StaticSettings StaticDNS1 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-1325 routers. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the handling of XML data provided to the HNAP1 SOAP endpoint. 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-18835.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2025
The CVE-2023-41209 vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in D-Link DAP-1325 wireless routers that enables remote code execution without authentication requirements. This vulnerability specifically affects the SetHostIPv6StaticSettings functionality within the router's HNAP1 SOAP endpoint implementation. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly constrain the length of user-supplied data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented and highly dangerous class of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of XML data sent to the HNAP1 SOAP endpoint, which is a common web service interface used by many network devices for configuration management. When the router processes the malformed XML data containing excessively long StaticDNS1 parameter values, the insufficient bounds checking allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. This memory corruption can be carefully crafted to overwrite return addresses and function pointers, enabling an attacker to redirect execution flow and inject malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level with root privileges, meaning successful exploitation grants full administrative control over the affected device. The ZDI-CAN-18835 identifier confirms this vulnerability was previously recognized by the Zero Day Initiative and represents a well-documented threat in the cybersecurity community.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise as it creates a persistent attack vector for network-adjacent adversaries. Since no authentication is required, attackers can exploit this vulnerability from any device on the same network segment, making it particularly dangerous in corporate or residential environments where network segmentation is insufficient. The attack surface is further expanded because the HNAP1 endpoint is typically exposed to the local network for device management purposes, and many organizations have not properly secured these interfaces. This vulnerability can be leveraged for various malicious activities including but not limited to creating persistent backdoors, establishing command and control channels, or using the compromised device as a launching point for further network reconnaissance and attacks against other systems. The root-level execution capability means that attackers can modify system configurations, install malware, or completely disable network services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-41209 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from D-Link, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific buffer overflow vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict access to the HNAP1 SOAP endpoints from untrusted network segments, although this is not a complete solution given the lack of authentication requirements. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious XML data patterns or unusual SOAP endpoint activity. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in network device firmware implementations, which aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques for privilege escalation and command execution. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure to identify other potentially vulnerable devices that may be running similar firmware with similar architectural flaws, particularly those implementing HNAP or other SOAP-based management interfaces that may be susceptible to similar buffer overflow conditions.