CVE-2023-44835 in DIR-823G
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
D-Link DIR-823G A1V1.0.2B05 was discovered to contain a buffer overflow via the Mac parameter in the SetParentsControlInfo function. This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via a crafted input.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-44835 affects the D-Link DIR-823G A1V1.0.2B05 wireless router model and represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the device's firmware. This issue resides in the SetParentsControlInfo function which processes the Mac parameter, indicating a classic input validation flaw that can be exploited through malformed user input. The vulnerability specifically targets the router's configuration handling mechanism where insufficient bounds checking permits malicious data to overwrite adjacent memory segments, potentially leading to system instability and complete service disruption.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The attack vector specifically exploits the Mac parameter within the SetParentsControlInfo function, suggesting that the router's web interface or management API fails to properly validate input length before processing. This flaw creates a pathway for remote attackers to craft malicious payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing unpredictable behavior in the affected device's memory management system. The vulnerability's designation as a denial of service condition indicates that successful exploitation results in complete service interruption rather than arbitrary code execution, though this does not diminish its operational impact on network availability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to network infrastructure as it allows remote attackers to disrupt network services without requiring authentication or specialized access privileges. The DoS condition affects the router's ability to function properly, potentially cutting off network connectivity for all devices connected to the affected network segment. This vulnerability particularly impacts enterprise and residential networks that rely on D-Link DIR-823G routers for internet connectivity, as the attack can be executed from external networks without requiring physical access or network credentials. The attack surface is broad given that the vulnerability exists in the router's web management interface, making it accessible to anyone who can reach the device's IP address and port configuration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from D-Link to address the buffer overflow condition in the SetParentsControlInfo function. Network administrators should implement firewall rules to restrict access to the router's management interfaces from untrusted networks while monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service condition suggests that implementing rate limiting on configuration API endpoints could help reduce the effectiveness of automated exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider network segmentation to isolate critical infrastructure from potentially compromised devices and implement intrusion detection systems to monitor for patterns consistent with buffer overflow exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify other devices running vulnerable firmware versions and ensure that all network equipment receives regular security updates to prevent similar conditions from occurring in the future.