CVE-2023-45481 in AC10
Summary
by MITRE • 11/29/2023
Tenda AC10 version US_AC10V4.0si_V16.03.10.13_cn was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the firewallEn parameter in the function SetFirewallCfg.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-45481 represents a critical stack overflow flaw in Tenda AC10 wireless router firmware version US_AC10V4.0si_V16.03.10.13_cn. This vulnerability manifests within the firewall configuration functionality, specifically through the firewallEn parameter handling in the SetFirewallCfg function. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. When an attacker crafts malicious input for the firewallEn parameter, the firmware fails to validate the length or content of the provided data, allowing arbitrary data to be written beyond the allocated stack buffer boundaries. This fundamental flaw in memory management creates a predictable exploitation vector that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the affected device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it operates within the router's administrative interface, potentially allowing remote code execution without authentication. The SetFirewallCfg function likely employs a vulnerable programming pattern where user input is directly copied or processed without proper length validation, creating a scenario where stack canaries or other protection mechanisms are bypassed. This vulnerability exists in the context of embedded systems security where resource constraints often lead to inadequate memory protection measures compared to traditional computing environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass full system compromise and potential network infiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this stack overflow can gain root-level access to the router's operating system, enabling them to modify firewall rules, redirect traffic, install persistent backdoors, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the local network. The vulnerability affects the device's core security functionality since it resides within the firewall configuration component, potentially allowing adversaries to disable or manipulate network security policies. This compromise can lead to widespread network infiltration, data exfiltration, and establishment of persistent command and control channels that persist across device reboots.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-45481 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Tenda, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing the buffer overflow condition. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation, disable unnecessary services, and monitor for anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and secure coding practices, particularly in embedded systems where traditional security controls may be limited. Security professionals should consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain detailed network traffic logs for forensic analysis. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the need for regular firmware updates and security assessments of network infrastructure devices, as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-125 for embedded system security practices and MITRE ATT&CK framework domain coverage for router and network device exploitation techniques.