CVE-2024-2558 in AC18
Summary
by MITRE • 03/17/2024
A vulnerability was found in Tenda AC18 15.03.05.05. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function formexeCommand of the file /goform/execCommand. The manipulation of the argument cmdinput leads to stack-based buffer overflow. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-257057 was assigned to this vulnerability. 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 • 01/28/2025
This critical vulnerability exists in the Tenda AC18 router firmware version 15.03.05.05 within the /goform/execCommand functionality. The flaw resides in how the system processes user input through the cmdinput argument, creating a stack-based buffer overflow condition that can be exploited remotely. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a web-based administrative interface that is commonly accessible to attackers on the network. The buffer overflow occurs when the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the cmdinput parameter before processing it through the formexeCommand function, allowing an attacker to overflow the stack buffer and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected device. This represents a significant security risk as it could enable full system compromise without requiring physical access or authentication credentials.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic stack buffer overflow attack pattern where malicious input exceeds the allocated buffer space, overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and potentially allowing code execution. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through remote code execution, while CWE-121 identifies the specific weakness as stack-based buffer overflow due to inadequate input validation. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this flaw from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for network infrastructure devices. The fact that the exploit has been publicly disclosed and is actively used in the wild significantly increases the risk to affected systems, as attackers can immediately deploy this technique against vulnerable routers without requiring advanced technical skills or specialized tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete network compromise and potential lateral movement capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain full administrative control over the router, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, establish backdoors, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The Tenda AC18 router serves as a critical network gateway device, and its compromise could result in widespread network disruption, data exfiltration, or unauthorized access to internal systems. Organizations with multiple affected devices face increased risk of coordinated attacks that could lead to complete network infiltration, particularly in environments where these routers are deployed without proper network segmentation or monitoring controls.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from Tenda if available, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and implementation of network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure reports creates additional risk, as organizations cannot rely on official patches or security advisories. Security teams should implement network access controls to restrict access to the vulnerable web interface, particularly from untrusted networks, and consider disabling unnecessary administrative functions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of firmware security and proper input validation in embedded network devices, as well as the need for organizations to maintain inventory of all network-connected devices and their firmware versions to quickly identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable network infrastructure components that may share similar design flaws.