CVE-2023-44836 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 SSID parameter in the SetWLanRadioSettings 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-2023-44836 affects the D-Link DIR-823G A1V1.0.2B05 wireless router model and represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the SetWLanRadioSettings function. This flaw manifests specifically through the SSID parameter handling, where the device fails to properly validate input length before processing. The vulnerability resides in the wireless networking configuration component of the router's firmware, which processes wireless local area network settings through a web-based management interface. The buffer overflow condition occurs when an attacker submits a malformed SSID value that exceeds the allocated memory buffer size, causing the application to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in embedded network devices. The flaw demonstrates poor memory management practices during parameter processing, where the device does not implement adequate bounds checking or input sanitization mechanisms before storing user-supplied data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it provides attackers with the capability to disrupt legitimate network operations and potentially compromise the device's stability. When exploited, the buffer overflow can cause the router's wireless service to crash or restart, effectively creating a denial of service condition that prevents authorized users from accessing wireless networking services. The attack vector requires minimal privileges since it targets the web management interface accessible through standard network protocols, making it particularly dangerous in environments where unauthorized access could occur. The DoS condition affects not only the wireless functionality but may also impact the device's overall system stability, potentially causing cascading failures in network connectivity. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which describes network denial of service attacks through exploitation of device vulnerabilities, and represents a common attack pattern in IoT device security. The impact is particularly concerning for enterprise environments where wireless infrastructure reliability is critical for business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-44836 should focus on immediate firmware updates from D-Link, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific buffer overflow condition. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected device's management interface, restricting access to trusted IP addresses and implementing strong authentication mechanisms. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for unusual SSID values or malformed requests can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in embedded devices, particularly regarding input validation and memory management. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar conditions in other D-Link devices or third-party products. Implementing network access control lists and restricting administrative access to only necessary personnel reduces the attack surface. The incident underscores the need for regular firmware updates and security maintenance protocols, as well as adherence to security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Device manufacturers should implement more rigorous code review processes and automated testing for buffer overflow conditions during the development lifecycle to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future releases.