CVE-2025-12595 in AC23
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2025
A weakness has been identified in Tenda AC23 16.03.07.52. This impacts the function formSetVirtualSer of the file /goform/SetVirtualServerCfg. This manipulation of the argument list causes buffer overflow. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been made available to the public and could be exploited.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2025
The vulnerability identified in Tenda AC23 router firmware version 16.03.07.52 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the web interface management functionality. This weakness specifically affects the formSetVirtualSer function located in the /goform/SetVirtualServerCfg file path, which serves as a critical interface for configuring virtual server settings through the device's web administration portal. The buffer overflow occurs due to improper input validation and handling of argument lists passed to this function, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can exceed the allocated memory buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during argument processing within the web form handler. When legitimate administrative users or malicious actors submit data through the virtual server configuration interface, the system fails to properly validate the length and content of input parameters before copying them into fixed-size memory buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows for arbitrary code execution or system crash conditions, as the overflow can overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control structures. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or local network presence to initiate the attack vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Remote exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially allowing for complete device takeover, data exfiltration, or use as a pivot point for attacking other devices within the local network. The availability of public exploit code significantly amplifies the threat landscape, as it removes the technical barrier for potential attackers to leverage this weakness. Network traffic analysis reveals that the vulnerable interface operates over standard http protocols, making detection and mitigation more challenging as legitimate administrative traffic cannot be easily distinguished from malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass immediate firmware updates from Tenda to address the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and memory management practices. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict access to administrative interfaces to trusted networks only, while disabling unnecessary services and ports. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts by monitoring for characteristic patterns associated with buffer overflow attacks. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected devices within their network infrastructure and ensure that all firmware updates are properly deployed and validated before implementation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 and CWE-122 categories related to buffer overflow conditions and improper input validation, while the remote exploitation capability maps to ATT&CK technique T1210 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage.