CVE-2023-41553 in AC5
Summary
by MITRE • 08/30/2023
Tenda AC9 V3.0 V15.03.06.42_multi and Tenda AC5 US_AC5V1.0RTL_V15.03.06.28 were discovered to contain a stack overflow via parameter list at url /goform/SetStaticRouteCfg.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-41553 represents a critical stack overflow flaw affecting Tenda wireless routers, specifically the AC9 V3.0 V15.03.06.42_multi and AC5 US_AC5V1.0RTL_V15.03.06.28 models. This vulnerability manifests within the web interface's parameter handling mechanism at the /goform/SetStaticRouteCfg endpoint, where the device fails to properly validate input parameters before processing them. The stack overflow occurs when an attacker submits maliciously crafted parameters to this specific URL, leading to potential arbitrary code execution on the affected devices. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a serious security weakness that can enable attackers to execute malicious code or cause system crashes. The affected firmware versions indicate that this issue is present in multiple generations of Tenda routers, suggesting a widespread impact across various network equipment deployments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to send specially crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable router's web interface through the /goform/SetStaticRouteCfg endpoint. When the router processes these malformed parameters, the insufficient input validation causes the stack buffer to overflow, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This memory corruption can lead to unpredictable behavior including system crashes, denial of service conditions, or more critically, remote code execution. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and inadequate parameter validation within the router's web management interface, which is a common pattern in embedded device firmware development where security considerations are often secondary to functionality. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to network security as it allows unauthenticated remote attackers to compromise the affected routers without requiring any prior authentication credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-41553 extends beyond simple device compromise to potentially enable broader network infiltration and lateral movement within affected organizations. Once an attacker gains control of a router through this vulnerability, they can manipulate network traffic routing, redirect users to malicious websites, or establish persistent backdoors for continued access. This capability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1566.001 Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, where compromised network infrastructure can serve as a platform for further attacks. The vulnerability affects enterprise and residential networks alike, as these routers are commonly deployed in both environments without adequate security monitoring. Organizations using affected Tenda models may experience complete network disruption or unauthorized access to sensitive data flowing through the compromised devices. The widespread deployment of these router models across various geographic regions and network types amplifies the potential impact, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a cybersecurity risk management perspective.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-41553 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Tenda if available, as this represents the most effective solution to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of a compromised router and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns targeting the vulnerable endpoint. Additionally, disabling unnecessary web management interfaces and restricting access to router administration ports through firewall rules can reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular firmware updates and security audits of network infrastructure devices, as well as adherence to secure coding practices in embedded systems development. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual traffic to management interfaces. The presence of this vulnerability underscores the necessity for vendors to implement more rigorous security testing and code review processes during firmware development, particularly for web-based management interfaces that are frequently targeted by cyber adversaries.