CVE-2023-49404 in W30E
Summary
by MITRE • 12/07/2023
Tenda W30E V16.01.0.12(4843) was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the function formAdvancedSetListSet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49404 affects the Tenda W30E wireless router firmware version V16.01.0.0.12(4843) and represents a critical stack overflow condition that can be exploited through the formAdvancedSetListSet function. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of buffer overflow attacks where an attacker can manipulate input data to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The technical flaw manifests when the router processes input parameters through the formAdvancedSetListSet function, which fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied data before using it in memory operations. This function likely handles advanced network configuration settings and accepts various parameters that are directly used in stack-based memory operations without adequate bounds checking. The vulnerability occurs because the firmware does not implement proper input validation mechanisms to prevent excessive data from being written to stack buffers, creating an exploitable condition where crafted malicious input can overwrite return addresses and other critical stack data.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security risks to network administrators and end users who rely on the Tenda W30E router for their network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this stack overflow could potentially gain unauthorized access to the router's administrative interface, modify network configurations, redirect traffic, or even execute arbitrary code on the device. The attack surface is particularly concerning because routers serve as central network points and often have elevated privileges, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for network security. The vulnerability could enable attackers to establish persistent backdoors, conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, or use the compromised device as a launching point for broader network intrusions.
The attack vector for this vulnerability typically involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests or form data to the router's web interface, specifically targeting the Advanced Settings section where the vulnerable function is invoked. This aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services, where adversaries leverage vulnerabilities in network services to gain access to systems. The vulnerability also maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-79, which covers cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that can be leveraged in similar contexts. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Tenda, network segmentation to limit access to affected devices, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, network administrators should consider disabling unnecessary web interfaces and implementing proper access controls to reduce the attack surface and prevent unauthorized access to the router's configuration capabilities.