CVE-2024-42983 in FH1206
Summary
by MITRE • 08/15/2024
Tenda FH1206 v02.03.01.35 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the pptpPPW parameter in the fromAdvSetWan function. This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via a crafted POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42983 affects the Tenda FH1206 router firmware version v02.03.01.35 and represents a critical stack overflow condition within the device's web interface handling mechanism. This flaw exists in the fromAdvSetWan function where the pptpPPW parameter is processed without adequate input validation or bounds checking. The stack overflow occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted POST request containing an excessively long string in the pptpPPW field, which causes the application to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. Such memory corruption can lead to unpredictable behavior and system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, a well-documented weakness where data written to a buffer on the stack exceeds the buffer's allocated size. The attack vector specifically targets the web administration interface of the router, making it accessible through standard HTTP POST requests that would typically be used for configuring advanced network settings. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges as it operates at the application layer without requiring authentication or physical access to the device. This makes it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt network services.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for network availability and security posture. The denial of service condition can render the router completely inaccessible to legitimate users, effectively cutting off network connectivity for all devices connected to the affected network. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the stack overflow could potentially be exploited for more sophisticated attacks if additional vulnerabilities exist in the system. Network administrators may experience service interruptions that affect business operations, especially in environments where the router serves as a critical gateway component. The vulnerability affects organizations of all sizes, from small home networks to enterprise environments that may have multiple Tenda FH1206 devices deployed across their infrastructure.
The recommended mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate firmware updates from Tenda to address the stack overflow condition through proper input validation and bounds checking. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks. Monitoring for suspicious POST requests containing unusually long parameter values can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in embedded web interfaces and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services, highlighting the need for robust security controls in network infrastructure devices. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected devices and ensure proper patch management processes are in place to address similar issues across their network infrastructure.