CVE-2023-51135 in X2000R Gh
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2023
TOTOLINK X2000R Gh v1.0.0-B20230221.0948.web was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the function formPasswordSetup.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-51135 affects the TOTOLINK X2000R Gh v1.0.0-B20230221.0948 firmware version and represents a critical stack overflow condition within the web interface administration functionality. This issue manifests specifically through the formPasswordSetup function, which processes password configuration requests from remote attackers. The stack overflow vulnerability occurs when the firmware fails to properly validate input parameters passed to this function, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the affected device. The vulnerability resides in the web server component of the router's firmware, making it accessible through standard network protocols and web-based management interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic stack buffer overflow pattern where insufficient input validation allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. The formPasswordSetup function likely employs insecure string handling practices such as strcpy, strcat, or sprintf without proper bounds checking, enabling an attacker to inject malicious data exceeding the allocated buffer space. This condition creates a predictable memory corruption scenario where the return address of the function can be overwritten, allowing attackers to redirect execution flow to malicious code. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized as a high-severity issue in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. This weakness specifically addresses buffer overflows where data is copied into a stack buffer without proper bounds checking, making it susceptible to exploitation by attackers who can control the input size and content.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-51135 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with complete control over the affected router. This includes the ability to modify network configurations, establish persistent backdoors, redirect traffic through malicious proxies, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking internal network segments. The vulnerability affects the router's administrative interface, which typically operates with elevated privileges, making the compromise particularly dangerous. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform actions such as changing administrator passwords, disabling security features, or installing malware that persists across reboots. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that many users operate these devices in home networks without proper segmentation, allowing attackers to gain access to entire local networks once the router is compromised. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1072 Software Deployment Tools, as it enables adversaries to establish persistent access through compromised network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-51135 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from TOTOLINK, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific stack overflow condition. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, isolating critical network segments from devices running vulnerable firmware. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary web management interfaces, implementing strict firewall rules that limit access to administrative ports, and monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly in embedded systems where resource constraints often lead to insufficient security measures. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure and maintain up-to-date firmware inventory to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include network monitoring for exploitation attempts and ensuring that all network devices are configured with strong authentication mechanisms to limit the impact of any potential compromise.