CVE-2024-2852 in AC15
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2024
A vulnerability was found in Tenda AC15 15.03.20_multi. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function saveParentControlInfo of the file /goform/saveParentControlInfo. The manipulation of the argument urls leads to stack-based buffer overflow. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-257776. 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 • 05/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2852 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in the Tenda AC15 wireless router firmware version 15.03.20_multi. This vulnerability specifically resides within the saveParentControlInfo function located in the /goform/saveParentControlInfo file path, making it a prime target for remote exploitation. The flaw manifests when processing the urls argument parameter, which allows attackers to manipulate input data in a manner that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack. The vulnerability's classification as critical stems from its remote exploitability and the fact that a public exploit has already been disclosed, significantly increasing the risk of widespread compromise. The affected device operates under a web-based management interface that exposes this vulnerable function through the goform framework, which is commonly used for handling form submissions in embedded web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic stack-based buffer overflow pattern where insufficient input validation allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program's stack. When the urls parameter is processed by the saveParentControlInfo function, the application fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This allows an attacker to craft malicious input that exceeds the buffer capacity, causing a stack overflow condition that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the affected device. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that an attacker does not require physical access or local network credentials to initiate the attack, as the vulnerable function is accessible through the web interface without authentication requirements. This characteristic places the device at significant risk in environments where the router's management interface is exposed to untrusted networks or the internet.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise, as it can enable attackers to gain full administrative control over the Tenda AC15 router. Successful exploitation could allow threat actors to modify network configurations, implement persistent backdoors, redirect traffic through malicious servers, or use the compromised device as a launch point for further attacks within the local network. The vulnerability's presence in a consumer-grade router exposes end users to potential man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS poisoning, or traffic interception attacks that could compromise sensitive data flowing through the network. Additionally, the compromised device could be enlisted in botnet operations or used to conduct reconnaissance activities against other devices on the network, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in residential or small office environments where network security measures may be limited. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts compounds the risk, as users have no official patch or mitigation guidance available from the manufacturer.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate action from affected users, including disabling remote management features, changing default administrative credentials, and implementing network segmentation to isolate the vulnerable device. Network administrators should consider blocking access to the router's management interface from external networks and monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The most effective long-term solution requires obtaining and installing firmware updates from the vendor, although the lack of vendor response suggests that users may need to seek third-party firmware solutions or consider replacing the affected devices entirely. Security professionals should also implement intrusion detection systems capable of identifying exploitation attempts targeting the specific vulnerable function and monitor for known exploit signatures. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and represents a significant concern under ATT&CK framework category T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1071 Application Layer Protocol, as it enables remote code execution through web application interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network infrastructure devices that may be similarly exposed to remote exploitation.