CVE-2024-2486 in AC18
Summary
by MITRE • 03/15/2024
A vulnerability was found in Tenda AC18 15.03.05.05. It has been classified as critical. This affects the function formQuickIndex of the file /goform/QuickIndex. The manipulation of the argument PPPOEPassword leads to stack-based buffer overflow. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-256893 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2486 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in the Tenda AC18 router firmware version 15.03.05.05. This vulnerability resides within the formQuickIndex function of the /goform/QuickIndex file, which serves as a web-based administrative interface for configuring router settings. The specific attack vector involves manipulation of the PPPOEPassword argument, which when improperly handled by the affected firmware, allows an attacker to overflow the stack buffer and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected device. The vulnerability's classification as critical stems from its remote exploitability and the potential for privilege escalation that could lead to complete device compromise. According to industry standards, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software design where data written to a buffer can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to the router's administrative functions and potentially use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the local network. The stack-based buffer overflow creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code that could modify router configurations, redirect traffic, or establish persistent backdoors. The fact that the exploit has been publicly disclosed and is actively used in the wild significantly increases the risk to affected users, as the window for exploitation is not limited to researchers or authorized security professionals but includes malicious actors who may be actively scanning for vulnerable devices. This vulnerability can be exploited through the web interface of the router, meaning that even a casual network user who accesses the router's management page could inadvertently trigger the exploit if they are using a vulnerable firmware version.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-2486 must include immediate firmware updates from Tenda, which should address the buffer overflow condition by implementing proper input validation and bounds checking for the PPPOEPassword parameter. Network administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation to isolate critical systems from potentially compromised devices, and employ network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, access controls should be enforced to limit administrative access to the router interface, and users should be educated about the risks of accessing untrusted networks or websites that might contain malicious code designed to exploit such vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables remote code execution and can be used to establish persistent access to the network infrastructure. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of input validation in web applications, particularly in embedded systems where resource constraints might lead to insufficient security measures being implemented.