CVE-2024-2485 in AC18
Summary
by MITRE • 03/15/2024
A vulnerability was found in Tenda AC18 15.03.05.05 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is the function formSetSpeedWan of the file /goform/SetSpeedWan. The manipulation of the argument speed_dir leads to stack-based buffer overflow. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-256892. 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 • 01/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2485 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in the Tenda AC18 router firmware version 15.03.05.05. This issue resides within the web management interface functionality, specifically in the /goform/SetSpeedWan file where the formSetSpeedWan function processes user input. The vulnerability manifests when the speed_dir parameter is manipulated, allowing an attacker to overflow the stack buffer and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected device. The attack vector is remote, meaning an unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network without requiring physical access or prior authentication. This classification as a critical vulnerability stems from the combination of remote exploitability, the potential for arbitrary code execution, and the fact that a public exploit has already been disclosed, making it immediately actionable by threat actors. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic software security flaw where insufficient input validation allows malicious data to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow pattern, where the speed_dir argument is processed without adequate bounds checking, allowing attackers to exceed the allocated buffer space and overwrite adjacent memory segments including return addresses and stack metadata. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would likely enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the router's operating system. The stack-based nature means that the overflow directly impacts the program's execution flow, potentially allowing attackers to redirect program execution to malicious code injected into the stack space. The specific function formSetSpeedWan suggests this vulnerability is related to network configuration management, particularly bandwidth settings for the WAN interface, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to manipulate network traffic or establish persistent access points.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as compromised routers can serve as persistent entry points for broader network attacks, enabling man-in-the-middle attacks, traffic interception, or as part of botnet formations. Network administrators face significant risk since the vulnerability affects a widely deployed consumer-grade router model, potentially exposing thousands of devices to exploitation simultaneously. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts creates additional operational concerns, as organizations cannot rely on official patches or updates to address this vulnerability. The public availability of exploit code means that this vulnerability is likely to be actively exploited in the wild, particularly targeting devices that remain unpatched or are not regularly updated. This situation represents a critical security gap where consumer devices are left exposed due to vendor inaction, potentially creating a large attack surface for malicious actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-2485 should focus on immediate network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, as well as implementing network access controls to limit exposure of affected devices. Organizations should consider disabling remote management features on affected routers when possible, and implementing network intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting the specific endpoint /goform/SetSpeedWan. The most effective long-term solution requires firmware updates from Tenda, though given the vendor's lack of response, network administrators may need to consider alternative router models or implement additional security layers such as web application firewalls to protect against exploitation attempts. Regular network scanning should identify all affected devices, and organizations should establish procedures for rapid response to similar vulnerabilities in the future. Due to the critical nature of this vulnerability, immediate action is required to prevent exploitation, as the public availability of exploit code makes this vulnerability a high-priority target for cybercriminals seeking to establish persistent access to network infrastructures.