CVE-2023-41561 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A stack overflow vulnerability was discovered in Tenda AC9 V3.0 V15.03.06.42_multi and Tenda AC5 US_AC5V1.0RTL_V15.03.06.28, allowing attackers to perform malicious actions via specific parameters.

Understanding CVE-2023-41561

This section will provide an insight into the stack overflow vulnerability identified in Tenda AC9 and Tenda AC5 routers.

What is CVE-2023-41561?

CVE-2023-41561 refers to a stack overflow vulnerability in Tenda AC9 V3.0 and AC5 routers, triggered by certain parameters at a specific URL.

The Impact of CVE-2023-41561

The exploit of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access, denial of service, or potentially the execution of arbitrary code on the affected devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-41561

Let's delve into the specifics of the vulnerability present in Tenda routers.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a stack overflow caused by the parameters 'startIp' and 'endIp' within the '/goform/SetPptpServerCfg' URL, enabling attackers to manipulate the router's behavior.

Affected Systems and Versions

Tenda AC9 V3.0 V15.03.06.42_multi and Tenda AC5 US_AC5V1.0RTL_V15.03.06.28 are confirmed to be impacted by this vulnerability, exposing devices running these versions to potential exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by supplying crafted values for the 'startIp' and 'endIp' parameters, causing a stack overflow condition and potentially gaining unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we will discuss the steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-41561.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the firmware of the affected Tenda routers to the latest version provided by the vendor. Additionally, restricting network access and implementing firewall rules can help prevent unauthorized exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance the overall security posture, users should regularly monitor for firmware updates, apply security best practices, and conduct security assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by Tenda for the vulnerable router models, and promptly apply patches to ensure protection against known exploits.