CVE-2025-1538 in DAP-1320
Summary
by MITRE • 02/21/2025
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in D-Link DAP-1320 1.00. Affected by this vulnerability is the function set_ws_action of the file /dws/api/. The manipulation leads to heap-based buffer overflow. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2025
The D-Link DAP-1320 wireless access point model version 1.00 contains a critical heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability within its web interface administration functionality. This flaw exists in the set_ws_action function located in the /dws/api/ directory of the device's firmware, representing a fundamental security weakness that allows unauthorized remote code execution. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking when processing user-supplied data through the web services API, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the heap allocation space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of HTTP request parameters that are passed to the set_ws_action function, which processes wireless settings configuration commands. When malicious input exceeds the allocated buffer size, it overflows into adjacent heap memory regions, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges or cause denial of service conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical severity issue in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog and represents a well-documented attack vector that has been extensively exploited in various network device compromises.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation capabilities to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for unpatched enterprise deployments where wireless access points serve as critical infrastructure components. The public disclosure of exploit code increases the likelihood of widespread exploitation, as threat actors can readily develop automated tools to target vulnerable D-Link devices across multiple organizations. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter techniques.
Given that this product is no longer supported by the manufacturer, affected organizations face significant challenges in obtaining official security patches or firmware updates. The lack of vendor support creates a persistent risk landscape where known vulnerabilities remain unaddressed, potentially exposing sensitive network infrastructure to exploitation. Organizations should consider immediate hardware replacement or isolation of affected devices from production networks as primary mitigation strategies. Network segmentation and firewall rules can provide temporary protection by blocking access to the vulnerable web services API endpoints, though this approach does not address the underlying security flaw. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing comprehensive network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts against legacy equipment that no longer receives security updates from vendors.