CVE-2024-7182 in A3600R
Summary
by MITRE • 07/29/2024
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in TOTOLINK A3600R 4.1.2cu.5182_B20201102. This issue affects the function setUpgradeFW of the file /cgi-bin/cstecgi.cgi. The manipulation of the argument FileName leads to buffer overflow. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-272603. 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 • 08/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7182 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the TOTOLINK A3600R router firmware version 4.1.2cu.5182_B20201102. This issue resides within the setUpgradeFW function of the /cgi-bin/cstecgi.cgi component, which serves as a critical interface for firmware upgrade operations. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the FileName argument is manipulated, creating conditions that allow attackers to exceed allocated buffer boundaries and potentially execute arbitrary code. The remote exploitability of this flaw means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous for networked environments where such routers are deployed. This represents a significant security risk as the attack vector can be initiated from external networks, potentially allowing unauthorized individuals to compromise the device's integrity and gain control over the affected router.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The buffer overflow in the setUpgradeFW function creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the program execution flow by overwriting return addresses or other critical memory structures. The exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The fact that this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is known to be exploitable means that threat actors can leverage existing attack frameworks to target affected devices without requiring advanced technical skills. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates that it presents a severe risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems, as it could be used to establish persistent backdoors or to conduct further attacks against the internal network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise, as the TOTOLINK A3600R router serves as a gateway device for numerous networked environments including residential and small business networks. When compromised, these devices can become entry points for broader network infiltration, allowing attackers to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, redirect traffic, or establish command and control channels. The vulnerability's presence in the firmware upgrade mechanism is particularly concerning because it could be exploited during legitimate firmware update processes, making detection more difficult for network administrators. The lack of response from the vendor despite early disclosure creates additional risk as users remain unaware of the vulnerability's severity and potential for exploitation. This situation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1219 which covers the use of remote services for lateral movement and persistence, as compromised routers can serve as persistent footholds within networks.
Organizations and individuals utilizing affected TOTOLINK A3600R devices should immediately implement mitigation strategies to protect against exploitation. The primary recommended approach involves applying firmware updates from the vendor once available, although the vendor's lack of response creates urgency for alternative protective measures. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the device's web interface from untrusted networks, while monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts by monitoring for specific patterns associated with buffer overflow attacks. Additionally, network administrators should consider disabling unnecessary services and implementing strong authentication mechanisms to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability's classification as critical necessitates immediate action, as the public availability of exploit code means that the window for exploitation is rapidly expanding, potentially leading to widespread compromise of affected devices across various network environments.