CVE-2023-50986 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A buffer overflow vulnerability has been identified in Tenda i29 v1.0 V1.0.0.5 due to improper validation of the time parameter in the sysLogin function.

Understanding CVE-2023-50986

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-50986, outlining the vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-50986?

CVE-2023-50986 pertains to a buffer overflow flaw found in Tenda i29 v1.0 V1.0.0.5, triggered by a lack of proper input validation in the sysLogin function. This could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or disrupt the device's normal operation.

The Impact of CVE-2023-50986

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can be exploited by malicious actors to compromise the affected device, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or denial of service attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-50986

In this section, a deep dive into the technical specifics of CVE-2023-50986 is provided, covering the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The buffer overflow vulnerability in Tenda i29 v1.0 V1.0.0.5 arises from the unrestricted input handling of the time parameter in the sysLogin function, allowing an attacker to overrun the allocated buffer space and potentially inject and execute malicious code.

Affected Systems and Versions

The issue impacts Tenda i29 v1.0 V1.0.0.5. Other versions or products may also be susceptible if they share similar code for handling the time parameter.

Exploitation Mechanism

By crafting a specially designed input for the time parameter, an attacker can send oversized data, exceeding the buffer's capacity and overwriting adjacent memory locations. This could result in the execution of arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected application.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section offers insights into how to address and mitigate the CVE-2023-50986 vulnerability, including immediate steps and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2023-50986, users are advised to apply security patches released by Tenda promptly. Additionally, restricting network access to vulnerable devices and monitoring for suspicious activities can help reduce the likelihood of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Establishing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and implementing network segmentation can enhance overall cybersecurity posture and reduce the impact of potential vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-50986.

Patching and Updates

Regularly checking for security updates from Tenda and promptly applying patches to address known vulnerabilities is crucial to safeguarding devices from exploitation and ensuring optimal protection.