CVE-2024-0994 in Tenda
Summary
by MITRE • 01/29/2024
A vulnerability was found in Tenda W6 1.0.0.9(4122). It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function formSetCfm of the file /goform/setcfm of the component httpd. The manipulation of the argument funcpara1 leads to stack-based buffer overflow. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-252259. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0994 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in the Tenda W6 router firmware version 1.0.0.9(4122) affecting the httpd web server component. This flaw exists within the formSetCfm function located in the /goform/setcfm file, making it accessible through the web interface of the affected device. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation when processing the funcpara1 argument, which allows an attacker to manipulate the parameter in a manner that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack. This particular implementation flaw falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, a well-documented weakness that enables attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code. The attack vector is remote, meaning an unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the device or network credentials, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides a pathway for remote code execution on the affected router. Attackers can leverage this stack overflow to inject malicious code into the router's memory space, potentially gaining full administrative control over the device. This compromise could enable attackers to redirect network traffic, establish persistent backdoors, or use the compromised router as a pivot point for further attacks within the local network. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates the potential for severe consequences including data breaches, network disruption, and the creation of botnet nodes for distributed denial of service attacks. The fact that a public exploit exists and has been disclosed increases the likelihood of real-world exploitation, as malicious actors can readily deploy automated tools to target vulnerable installations. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts compounds the risk, leaving users without official patches or mitigation guidance during the critical window when the vulnerability is most exploitable.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0994 must be implemented immediately given the public availability of exploitation tools and the critical severity classification. Network administrators should prioritize disabling remote management interfaces on affected devices until official patches are available, though this may not be feasible in all deployments where remote access is required. The recommended approach involves implementing network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network segments, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and applying firmware updates from the vendor as soon as they become available. According to ATT&CK framework tactic T1210, exploitation of remote services represents a common attack path that should be monitored and mitigated through proper network architecture and access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists to restrict access to the affected web interface ports, particularly when the vulnerability affects devices with exposed internet-facing interfaces. The vulnerability's nature suggests that input validation should be strengthened at the application level, with proper bounds checking implemented for all parameters passed to the formSetCfm function, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Given the absence of vendor response, security teams may need to consider alternative firmware options or hardware replacement strategies for affected installations.