CVE-2024-4124 in W15E
Summary
by MITRE • 04/24/2024
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Tenda W15E 15.11.0.14. This affects the function formSetRemoteWebManage of the file /goform/SetRemoteWebManage. The manipulation of the argument remoteIP leads to stack-based buffer overflow. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-261867. 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 • 01/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-4124 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the Tenda W15E 15.11.0.14 wireless router firmware. This vulnerability specifically resides in the formSetRemoteWebManage function located within the /goform/SetRemoteWebManage file, making it accessible through the web management interface of the device. The flaw manifests when processing the remoteIP argument, which serves as the attack vector for exploiting this memory corruption vulnerability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and bounds checking within the router's web management form handler. When an attacker provides a maliciously crafted remoteIP parameter, the application fails to properly validate the input length before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the affected device. The vulnerability's classification as stack-based indicates that the overflow occurs within the program's stack memory space, making it particularly dangerous as it can directly manipulate the program's execution flow.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe security risk as it enables remote exploitation without requiring any authentication credentials. The attack can be initiated from any network location, making it particularly dangerous for devices connected to the internet. The fact that a public exploit has been disclosed further amplifies the threat level, as it removes the requirement for advanced exploitation techniques and allows any attacker with basic knowledge to potentially compromise affected devices. This vulnerability could enable attackers to gain full administrative control over the router, potentially allowing them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, install malware, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the local network.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of the entire network infrastructure. Network administrators should consider this vulnerability as a critical threat requiring immediate attention, especially given the vendor's lack of response to early disclosure notifications. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized under the broader category of CWE-119 Improper Access of Resource Using Buffer. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability would be classified under the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python, as exploitation would likely involve crafting malicious payloads to manipulate the buffer overflow conditions.
Effective mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates from the vendor if available, though the lack of vendor response in this case necessitates alternative approaches. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the router's management interface from untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling remote management features entirely when possible and implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network infrastructure devices, as this type of flaw often indicates broader software quality issues that may exist in other components of the firmware. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management in embedded systems, particularly those with internet-facing interfaces.