CVE-2024-41461
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2024-41461 is a critical stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Tenda FH1201 routers that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service by sending specially crafted requests to the DHCP client list endpoint. This affects all users running vulnerable firmware versions of the Tenda FH1201 router. Attackers can exploit this without authentication to potentially take full control of affected devices.
💻 Affected Systems
- Tenda FH1201
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete device compromise leading to persistent backdoor installation, network traffic interception, lateral movement to other devices, and participation in botnets.
Likely Case
Remote code execution allowing attackers to modify router settings, intercept traffic, or use the device as a foothold for further attacks.
If Mitigated
Denial of service causing router reboot or instability if exploit attempts fail to achieve code execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability is in a web endpoint that doesn't require authentication, and public proof-of-concept code exists in the referenced GitHub repository.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Unknown
Vendor Advisory: Not available
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check Tenda's official website for firmware updates. 2. If available, download the latest firmware for FH1201. 3. Log into router admin interface. 4. Navigate to firmware upgrade section. 5. Upload and apply the new firmware. 6. Wait for router to reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Remote Management
allPrevent external access to the router's web management interface
Log into router admin -> Advanced Settings -> Remote Management -> Disable
Network Segmentation
allIsolate the router from critical internal networks
Use VLANs or separate physical networks to segment router management traffic
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Replace the vulnerable device with a different model that receives security updates
- Place the router behind a firewall that blocks access to port 80/443 and the specific vulnerable endpoint
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current firmware version in router admin interface under System Status or Firmware Upgrade sectionCheck Version:
curl -s http://router-ip/ | grep -i firmware || Check web interface manuallyVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version is newer than v1.2.0.14 and test if the /goform/DhcpListClient endpoint still exists📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple POST requests to /goform/DhcpListClient
- Unusual long parameter values in web requests
- Router crash/reboot logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /goform/DhcpListClient with unusually long list1 parameter
- Traffic patterns suggesting buffer overflow attempts
SIEM Query:
source="router_logs" AND (uri_path="/goform/DhcpListClient" OR message="buffer overflow" OR message="segmentation fault")