CVE-2024-32303 in AC15
Summary
by MITRE • 04/17/2024
Tenda AC15 v15.03.20_multi, v15.03.05.19, and v15.03.05.18 firmware has a stack overflow vulnerability located via the PPW parameter in the fromWizardHandle function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-32303 affects Tenda AC15 wireless routers running specific firmware versions including v15.03.20_multi, v15.03.05.19, and v15.03.05.18. This represents a critical stack overflow condition that emerges within the router's web interface handling logic, specifically in the fromWizardHandle function. The vulnerability manifests when processing the PPW parameter, which is typically used during the wizard configuration process for setting up wireless network parameters. The stack overflow occurs due to insufficient input validation and boundary checking on the PPW parameter, allowing maliciously crafted input to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a serious memory corruption issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The affected device operates with a web-based management interface that processes user inputs through HTTP requests, making it susceptible to remote exploitation by attackers who can craft malicious payloads without requiring physical access to the device.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to send a specially crafted HTTP request containing an overly long PPW parameter value to the affected router's web interface. When the fromWizardHandle function processes this parameter, the lack of proper bounds checking causes the input data to overflow the allocated stack buffer, potentially overwriting return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack data. This memory corruption can result in unpredictable behavior including application crashes, system instability, or more critically, complete system compromise through arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it resides in the configuration wizard functionality, which is commonly accessed during initial setup or configuration changes, making it a prime target for exploitation during routine administrative tasks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the router's administrative interface, potentially leading to complete network compromise as the attacker would gain control over the device's network configuration, firewall settings, and could establish backdoors for persistent access.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-32303 extends beyond simple device instability to encompass significant network security risks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain full administrative control over the affected Tenda AC15 routers, enabling them to modify network settings, redirect traffic, install malicious firmware, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other devices within the local network. The vulnerability affects devices that are widely deployed in residential and small office environments, where network security measures may be insufficient to detect or prevent such attacks. This makes the potential attack surface particularly large as these devices often serve as the primary gateway between internal networks and the internet, providing attackers with a strategic position to launch further attacks. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access or network proximity to the device, making it particularly dangerous in environments where device security is not properly managed. Organizations and individuals using affected devices should consider this vulnerability as a critical risk that could lead to complete network compromise, especially when these devices are configured with default credentials or lack proper network segmentation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-32303 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Tenda, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network infrastructure and establish monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary web management interfaces, implementing strict firewall rules that limit access to the router's administrative ports, and regularly auditing network devices for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in embedded systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing for Information. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing router compromise scenarios. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits of network infrastructure are essential to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire network ecosystem, particularly in embedded devices that often receive less security attention than traditional computing systems.