CVE-2024-42545 in A3700R
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2024
TOTOLINK A3700R v9.1.2u.5822_B20200513 has a buffer overflow vulnerability in the ssid parameter in setWizardCfg function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42545 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the TOTOLINK A3700R router firmware version v9.1.2u.5822_B20200513. This issue manifests specifically within the setWizardCfg function where the ssid parameter is processed without adequate input validation or bounds checking. The router's web interface accepts user-supplied ssid values through HTTP requests, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the affected device. The buffer overflow occurs when the input exceeds the allocated memory space for the ssid parameter, potentially leading to memory corruption and system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management practices within the router's firmware codebase. When the setWizardCfg function processes the ssid parameter, it fails to validate the input length against the predetermined buffer size, allowing attackers to supply oversized data that overflows adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests containing malicious ssid values through the router's web administration interface, often via POST requests to configuration endpoints.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-42545 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to gain complete control over the affected router. Successful exploitation could result in persistent backdoor access, network traffic interception, DNS hijacking, and potential lateral movement within the local network. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access points, modify router configurations, or redirect network traffic to malicious destinations. The vulnerability affects devices running the specified firmware version, potentially impacting thousands of users who have not updated their router firmware, making this a widespread concern for network security administrators. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059, this vulnerability enables command and control operations through remote code execution, while T1566 covers the initial access vectors that could involve web application exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from TOTOLINK, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific buffer overflow condition. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for suspicious HTTP requests containing oversized ssid parameters can help detect exploitation attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional protective layers against this specific attack pattern. Regular firmware update policies and vulnerability scanning procedures should be established to prevent similar issues in the future, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management in embedded network devices. Organizations should also consider network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns indicative of exploitation attempts and maintain detailed inventory records of all network devices to ensure comprehensive coverage of patch management efforts.