CVE-2023-52041 in X6000R
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2024
An issue discovered in TOTOLINK X6000R V9.4.0cu.852_B20230719 allows attackers to run arbitrary code via the sub_410118 function of the shttpd program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-52041 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the TOTOLINK X6000R router firmware version V9.4.0cu.852_B20230719. This issue resides in the shttpd web server component that handles HTTP requests for the device's web management interface. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the sub_410118 function which processes user-supplied data without adequate sanitization or bounds checking. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP requests that trigger the vulnerable code path, ultimately enabling arbitrary code execution on the affected device with the privileges of the web server process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow or injection pattern where attacker-controlled input flows directly into executable code paths. The shttpd web server component typically handles various HTTP methods including GET and POST requests, and the sub_410118 function appears to process specific parameters or headers that are not properly validated. This flaw creates an attack surface where remote unauthenticated users can send crafted payloads that bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-78 Command Injection, as it likely allows for both memory corruption and command execution through improper input handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables full remote compromise of the affected router. Once exploited, attackers gain persistent access to the network infrastructure and can perform various malicious activities including but not limited to network traffic interception, DNS hijacking, port forwarding, and establishing backdoor access for further lateral movement. The compromised device becomes a potential pivot point for attacking other systems within the local network, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise or home network environments where routers often serve as gateway devices. Additionally, the attack does not require authentication, making it extremely difficult to detect and mitigate once an attacker has identified a vulnerable device.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from TOTOLINK as the primary defense mechanism. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The use of intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for known malicious payloads can help identify exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper firewall rules to restrict access to the router's web management interface from untrusted networks, and considering disabling unnecessary services and ports can reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar issues in other network infrastructure devices, following ATT&CK framework techniques related to initial access and privilege escalation to ensure comprehensive security posture.