CVE-2023-49047 in AX1803
Summary
by MITRE • 11/27/2023
Tenda AX1803 v1.0.0.1 contains a stack overflow via the devName parameter in the function formSetDeviceName.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49047 affects the Tenda AX1803 router firmware version 1.0.0.1 and represents a critical stack overflow condition that can be exploited through the devName parameter within the formSetDeviceName function. This issue falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program stack. The affected device operates as a wireless router and likely serves as a primary network gateway for residential or small office environments, making it a potentially attractive target for adversaries seeking persistent network access.
The technical flaw manifests when the router processes HTTP requests containing a malformed devName parameter value that exceeds the allocated buffer size within the formSetDeviceName function. This function appears to handle device name configuration through web interface forms, where user input is directly copied into a fixed-size stack buffer without proper validation or length checking mechanisms. When an attacker supplies a sufficiently long string, the excess data overflows into adjacent stack memory, potentially corrupting return addresses, saved registers, or other critical program state information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it occurs within the web management interface, meaning remote exploitation is likely possible without requiring physical access to the device or authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected router. This capability would allow adversaries to gain full control over the device, potentially leading to man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS hijacking, traffic interception, or use of the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the local network. The router's role as a network gateway makes it a valuable target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or to disrupt network communications. Network traffic passing through the compromised device could be monitored, modified, or redirected, potentially affecting multiple connected devices and users within the network ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from Tenda to address the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and bounds checking. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of compromised devices and establish monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns or unauthorized configuration changes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices, particularly around input validation and memory management, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework for network infrastructure threats. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and ensure that all network devices are regularly updated with the latest security patches to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.