CVE-2026-10188 in W12
Summary
by MITRE • 05/31/2026
A flaw has been found in Tenda W12 3.0.0.7(4763). This affects the function cgistaKickOff of the file /bin/httpd. Executing a manipulation of the argument staMac can lead to stack-based buffer overflow. The attack may be performed from remote. The exploit has been published and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2026
The vulnerability identified in Tenda W12 3.0.0.7(4763) represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the web server component of the device. This vulnerability manifests in the cgistaKickOff function located in the /bin/httpd binary file, which serves as the primary HTTP daemon handling web requests for the router's administrative interface. The flaw specifically occurs when processing the staMac argument parameter, which is typically used to identify wireless station MAC addresses within the router's management system. This function fails to properly validate or limit the length of the input argument, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory on the stack. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the buffer overflow without requiring physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous for network-connected IoT devices. The publication of exploit code for this vulnerability significantly increases the risk to affected systems, as malicious actors can readily leverage this flaw to compromise router functionality and potentially gain unauthorized access to the underlying network.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when a program writes data beyond the bounds of a fixed-length stack buffer. The cgistaKickOff function appears to use a vulnerable string handling mechanism that does not perform adequate bounds checking on the staMac parameter. When an attacker supplies a maliciously crafted MAC address string that exceeds the allocated buffer space, the excess data overflows into adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data. This overflow can lead to arbitrary code execution, denial of service conditions, or privilege escalation depending on the specific memory corruption patterns. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates over the network protocol, allowing remote exploitation from any location with network access to the affected device's web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of the entire network infrastructure that relies on the affected router. Network administrators face significant risks including unauthorized access to network resources, potential data exfiltration, and the ability for attackers to establish persistent backdoors within the network. The vulnerability affects not only the router's administrative functions but also its core networking capabilities, potentially allowing attackers to redirect traffic, disable security features, or use the device as a launching point for attacks against other systems within the network. Given that many IoT devices lack robust security monitoring and update mechanisms, this vulnerability can remain undetected for extended periods, providing attackers with prolonged access to target networks. The remote exploitability combined with the availability of published exploit code means that this vulnerability poses an immediate threat to organizations and individuals using affected Tenda W12 devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate device isolation and firmware updates from the vendor. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of compromise and monitor for suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should consider disabling unnecessary web management interfaces and implementing strict access controls to reduce attack surface. The implementation of intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected devices within their network infrastructure, as similar vulnerabilities may exist in other networking equipment. Regular firmware update policies and network monitoring procedures should be strengthened to prevent future exploitation of similar vulnerabilities, while adherence to security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and MITRE ATT&CK framework should guide overall defensive strategies against such remote code execution vulnerabilities.