CVE-2024-2855 in AC15
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2024
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Tenda AC15 15.03.05.18/15.03.05.19/15.03.20. Affected by this vulnerability is the function fromSetSysTime of the file /goform/SetSysTimeCfg. The manipulation of the argument time 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-257779. 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
This critical vulnerability exists in Tenda AC15 routers running firmware versions 15.03.05.18, 15.03.05.19, and 15.03.20 where the function fromSetSysTime in the file /goform/SetSysTimeCfg is susceptible to stack-based buffer overflow. The flaw occurs when processing the time argument parameter, creating a condition where attacker-controlled input can exceed the allocated buffer space on the stack. This particular vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which represents a fundamental memory corruption issue that allows 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 or prior login credentials, making it particularly dangerous for networked devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides a pathway for complete system compromise. When an attacker successfully exploits this buffer overflow, they can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack data, potentially enabling code execution with the privileges of the affected service. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. The vulnerability's public disclosure through VDB-257779 indicates that working exploits are available in the wild, increasing the risk of widespread exploitation. Given that the vendor failed to respond to early disclosure notifications, there is no official patch or mitigation available from the manufacturer, leaving affected users vulnerable to active exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must be implemented immediately since no vendor patch exists. Network administrators should consider implementing firewall rules to block access to the affected web interface port, typically port 80 or 443, and disable unnecessary services on the affected devices. The most effective long-term solution involves physically updating the firmware to a version that addresses this buffer overflow condition, though this may not be possible if the vendor remains unresponsive. Network segmentation should be employed to isolate affected devices from critical network segments, and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems with signatures for known exploit patterns targeting this specific vulnerability can provide early warning capabilities. Organizations should also consider conducting thorough network audits to identify all affected Tenda AC15 devices and ensure that default credentials are changed and unnecessary remote access is disabled. The lack of vendor response creates an urgent need for proactive security measures as the vulnerability represents a significant risk to network integrity and data security.