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CVE-2023-49911: High Vulnerability in Tp-Link EAP225

A high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in Tp-Link AC1350 Wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Access Point. Immediate patching is critical to prevent remote code execution.

HIGHCVSS 7.2 · Published April 9, 2024

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A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the web interface Radio Scheduling functionality of Tp-Link AC1350 Wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Access Point (EAP225 V3) v5.1.0 Build 20220926. A specially crafted series of HTTP requests can lead to remote code execution. An attacker can make an authenticated HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability. This vulnerability refers specifically to the overflow that occurs via the `band` parameter at offset `0x422420` of the `httpd` binary shipped with v5.0.4 Build 20220216 of the EAP115.

The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.2, indicating a high severity level. This score reflects the potential impact and the ease of exploitation. Risk to organizations includes unauthorized remote code execution, which can lead to significant security breaches.

As of now, this vulnerability is not actively exploited in the wild, but the nature of the issue and the availability of the affected products necessitate immediate action. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.

The urgency for defenders is critical, given the high severity and the potential for exploitation via network access. Organizations utilizing the affected Tp-Link products should take immediate steps to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Details

The specific vulnerability allows for a stack-based buffer overflow, which can be exploited by sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the affected device. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 and CWE-787, indicating flaws in buffer handling and improper control of a resource through its lifetime.

The affected products include the Tp-Link EAP225 with firmware version 5.1.0 and the EAP115 with firmware version 5.0.4. These vulnerabilities were published on April 9, 2024.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper handling of input data by the web interface's Radio Scheduling feature. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending a sequence of HTTP requests that manipulate the `band` parameter, leading to a buffer overflow in memory, which can be exploited to execute arbitrary code.

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, requiring an attacker to have high privileges to exploit it. The attack complexity is low, meaning that attackers do not require extensive technical skills to exploit the vulnerability. User interaction is not necessary for the attack to succeed.

The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated as high, indicating that a successful exploitation could lead to complete control over the affected devices, allowing attackers to execute malicious code, steal sensitive information, or disrupt services.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Organizations using the impacted Tp-Link devices may face significant risks, particularly if they are deployed in critical infrastructure or sensitive environments. The potential for remote code execution means that attackers could gain unauthorized access to networks, leading to further exploitation or lateral movement within the organization.

Given the high CVSS score and the nature of the vulnerability, organizations should assess their exposure to this issue and implement appropriate security controls. The urgency for addressing this vulnerability is high, and organizations must act swiftly to patch affected systems to prevent exploitation.

The blast radius of this vulnerability is potentially large, as it could affect multiple users and systems connected to the vulnerable access points. Organizations should prioritize risk assessments and remediation efforts.

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The affected versions for this vulnerability are Tp-Link EAP225 firmware version 5.1.0 and EAP115 firmware version 5.0.4. Organizations using these versions should take immediate action to mitigate the risks.

Mitigation & Remediation

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should apply the latest patches and updates provided by Tp-Link for affected products. If immediate patching is not possible, organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure and apply strict access controls to the affected devices.

For additional security, organizations can consider performing regular security assessments or penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their environment.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor logs for any suspicious activity or unauthorized access attempts related to the affected devices. Behavioral anomalies that deviate from normal operational patterns should be investigated promptly.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in the increasing prevalence of network-based attacks targeting IoT devices. It highlights the need for organizations to adopt a proactive security posture, continuously assess their environment, and invest in security best practices.

Security teams should learn from this incident and ensure that they are prepared to respond to similar vulnerabilities in the future. Implementing a comprehensive vulnerability management program is essential to minimize risks.

For more information on how to enhance your security strategies, consider reviewing the vulnerability management program design and exploring our penetration testing methodology guides.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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