CVE-2023-25214
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2023-25214 is a critical stack overflow vulnerability in Tenda AC5 routers that allows attackers to cause denial of service or execute arbitrary code by sending a crafted payload to the setSchedWifi function. This affects Tenda AC5 router users running vulnerable firmware versions. Attackers can potentially gain full control of affected devices.
💻 Affected Systems
- Tenda AC5 router
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete device compromise, network infiltration, and persistent backdoor installation
Likely Case
Denial of service causing router crashes and network disruption, potentially followed by limited code execution
If Mitigated
Network segmentation prevents lateral movement; affected device isolated but still vulnerable to DoS
🎯 Exploit Status
Public GitHub repository contains detailed analysis and likely exploit code; no authentication required for exploitation
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Unknown
Vendor Advisory: Not found in provided references
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check Tenda website for firmware updates
2. Download latest firmware for AC5 model
3. Access router web interface
4. Navigate to firmware upgrade section
5. Upload and apply new firmware
6. Reboot router
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable remote management
allPrevent external access to router web interface
Network segmentation
allIsolate router management interface to separate VLAN
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Replace affected router with different model/brand
- Implement strict firewall rules blocking all external access to router management interface
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check router firmware version in web interface under System Status or About pageCheck Version:
No CLI command; check via web interface at http://router_ipVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version is newer than US_AC5V1.0RTL_V15.03.06.28📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple failed HTTP POST requests to setSchedWifi endpoint
- Router crash/reboot logs
- Unusual process execution
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests with unusually large payloads to /goform/setSchedWifi
- Traffic patterns suggesting buffer overflow attempts
SIEM Query:
http.method:POST AND http.uri:"/goform/setSchedWifi" AND http.content_length > 1000