CVE-2024-2856 in AC10
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2024
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Tenda AC10 16.03.10.13/16.03.10.20. Affected by this issue is the function fromSetSysTime of the file /goform/SetSysTimeCfg. The manipulation of the argument timeZone 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-257780. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2856 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in Tenda AC10 wireless routers running firmware versions 16.03.10.13 and 16.03.10.20. This issue resides within the system time configuration functionality, specifically in the fromSetSysTime function of the /goform/SetSysTimeCfg file. The vulnerability manifests when manipulating the timeZone argument, which allows an attacker to overflow the stack buffer and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected device. The attack vector is remote, meaning that malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the router, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where such devices are commonly deployed.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program stack. This type of vulnerability provides attackers with opportunities to manipulate program execution flow, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote exploitability of this flaw means that attackers can leverage it from anywhere on the network, making it especially concerning for enterprise environments where routers often serve as critical network infrastructure components. The disclosure of this exploit in VDB-257780 indicates that threat actors have already developed working attack code, increasing the urgency for affected organizations to implement mitigations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to entire network segments that rely on the compromised router for connectivity and security policies. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to establish persistent access points within networks, redirect traffic through malicious servers, or use the device as a launching point for further attacks against internal systems. This vulnerability also represents a significant concern for organizations that may be unaware of their Tenda AC10 router deployments, as these devices often operate in network perimeters where they are not actively monitored for security issues. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts compounds the risk, leaving affected organizations without official patches or advisories to guide their remediation efforts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-2856 should prioritize immediate network segmentation and access control measures to limit potential attack surfaces. Organizations should disable remote management features on affected routers when possible, implement network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns, and consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts. The most effective long-term solution involves firmware updates from Tenda, although the vendor's lack of response necessitates alternative approaches such as network-wide scanning to identify all affected devices and potentially replacing vulnerable hardware. Security teams should also consider implementing network access controls to restrict communication with the affected device's management interfaces and establish monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized configuration changes that might indicate successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current firmware versions and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure components to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.