CVE-2025-8017 in AC7
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2025
A vulnerability was found in Tenda AC7 15.03.06.44. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function formSetMacFilterCfg of the file /goform/setMacFilterCfg of the component httpd. The manipulation of the argument deviceList leads to stack-based buffer overflow. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2025-8017 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in the Tenda AC7 router firmware version 15.03.06.44, specifically within the httpd web server component. This flaw exists in the formSetMacFilterCfg function located in the /goform/setMacFilterCfg file, making it accessible through the web interface. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation when processing the deviceList argument, which allows an attacker to manipulate the buffer size beyond its allocated stack space. The attack vector is remote, meaning that malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the device or being on the same network segment. This classification as a critical vulnerability indicates the potential for severe consequences including complete system compromise, unauthorized access to network resources, and possible data exfiltration.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow occurs through the manipulation of the deviceList parameter within the HTTP request to the setMacFilterCfg endpoint. When the web server processes this argument without proper bounds checking, it allows an attacker to overflow the stack buffer and potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory regions. The attack can be executed by sending a specially crafted HTTP POST request containing an oversized deviceList parameter to the vulnerable endpoint, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the router's operating system.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-8017 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with full control over the affected router's functionality. Once exploited, an attacker could modify network configurations, implement man-in-the-middle attacks, redirect traffic to malicious servers, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects not only the router's web interface but also compromises the entire network security posture since routers typically serve as gateways and security boundaries within local networks. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where router compromise could lead to lateral movement and access to sensitive internal systems. The fact that the exploit has been publicly disclosed increases the risk of widespread exploitation, as threat actors can immediately leverage this vulnerability without requiring advanced exploitation techniques or zero-day knowledge.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Tenda, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and network monitoring to detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper memory management in embedded web server implementations, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services which emphasizes the exploitation of network services through buffer overflows and similar memory corruption vulnerabilities. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint and establish regular firmware update policies to maintain security posture against known vulnerabilities. The disclosure of this exploit highlights the critical need for continuous security assessment and patch management processes, particularly for network infrastructure devices that are often overlooked in traditional security monitoring programs.