CVE-2024-4168 in 4G300
Summary
by MITRE • 04/25/2024
A vulnerability was found in Tenda 4G300 1.01.42. It has been classified as critical. This affects the function sub_4260F0. The manipulation of the argument upfilen leads to stack-based buffer overflow. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-261987. 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 • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-4168 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in Tenda 4G300 router firmware version 1.01.42. This issue resides within the function sub_4260F0 which processes the upfilen argument, creating a dangerous condition where malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking mechanisms that fail to properly constrain the length of data processed by the vulnerable function. The stack-based nature of this buffer overflow means that attackers can potentially overwrite return addresses, saved registers, and other critical stack data structures to execute arbitrary code or cause system crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely, eliminating the need for physical access to the device and allowing attackers to target vulnerable routers from anywhere on the internet.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow attack pattern where an attacker crafts malicious input to the upfilen parameter that exceeds the allocated buffer size. When the vulnerable function processes this oversized input, it writes beyond the intended memory boundaries, potentially corrupting the stack frame and allowing for code execution control. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a fundamental memory safety issue. The remote exploitability aspect places this vulnerability in the ATT&CK matrix under the T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application technique, where attackers target network accessible services to gain unauthorized access to systems. The fact that the vendor failed to respond to early disclosure attempts creates a particularly dangerous scenario where the vulnerability remains unpatched and potentially known to malicious actors.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-4168 extends beyond simple system compromise as it represents a significant threat to network security infrastructure. Compromised routers can serve as entry points for broader network attacks, allowing attackers to establish persistent access, perform man-in-the-middle attacks, or use the device as a pivot point to target internal network resources. The vulnerability affects not just individual devices but entire networks that rely on Tenda 4G300 routers, potentially exposing home and enterprise users to sophisticated cyber threats. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying vulnerable devices within their infrastructure while managing the risk of exploitation from external attackers. The lack of vendor response compounds the security risk, as users cannot rely on official patches or updates to resolve the issue, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by threat actors who may have already developed working exploits.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement network access controls to restrict communication with vulnerable devices and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify malicious traffic patterns targeting the upfilen parameter. Network administrators should consider disabling unnecessary services and ports on affected routers while implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. The recommended long-term solution involves firmware updates from the vendor, although the lack of vendor response creates a significant challenge for users. Security professionals should also consider implementing zero-trust network architectures that minimize the attack surface and reduce the impact of compromised devices. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and network scanning should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable devices within the network infrastructure that may share similar weaknesses.