External risk intelligence

Tenda TX9 Firmware Stack Overflow Vulnerability

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2024-51312

The vulnerability exists within the firmware of a consumer/SOHO router. These devices are commonly deployed at the network edge, and the vulnerable function is accessible via the device's web management interface, which is frequently exposed to the network.

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A critical vulnerability has been identified in the firmware of certain Tenda devices, specifically related to how network routing is configured. This issue could potentially allow unauthorized access and control over the affected devices, impacting network operations. The main concern at this time is to confirm if this specific product is in use and assess any potential exposure.

  • Firmware configuration flaw poses a significant risk.
  • Understand potential network compromise implications.
  • Confirm relevance and assess exposure within our environment.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker can reach the Tenda TX9 router's web management interface, which is typically exposed to the internet. By sending a specially crafted request to the `/goform/SetStaticRouteCfg` endpoint, an attacker can trigger a stack overflow in the `sub_42EEE0` function. This overflow can lead to the execution of arbitrary code, potentially allowing the attacker to gain control of the device and compromise the network.

  • Unauthenticated remote access to router interface.
  • Triggering stack overflow via specific configuration request.
  • Potential for full device control and network compromise.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability in Tenda TX9 firmware could allow an unauthenticated attacker to crash the device or potentially execute arbitrary code by sending specially crafted requests to the SetStaticRouteCfg endpoint. This could disrupt network services and compromise the integrity of the device.

  • Device availability and integrity.
  • Network requests to vulnerable function.
  • Network disruption and potential compromise.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability affects Tenda TX9 V22.03.02.20 firmware. Device owners or IT infrastructure teams are likely responsible for managing these edge devices. The initial step involves identifying all instances of the affected firmware, assessing their exposure and criticality, and then coordinating remediation efforts with the device owner and potentially the vendor.

  • Identify affected devices and owners.
  • Verify external access and business impact.
  • Plan coordinated firmware updates or replacements.

Supplementary metadata

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Tenda TX9 router?

The Tenda TX9 is a consumer-grade wireless router designed for home or small office (SOHO) networking. It acts as a gateway for local devices to connect to the internet, handling routing, firewall, and wireless connectivity tasks. The affected V22.03.02.20 firmware version manages these core functions, including the web-based administrative interface used to configure network settings like static routes.

What does stack overflow mean for CVE-2024-51312?

CVE-2024-51312 is categorized as a stack-based buffer overflow, or CWE-121. This happens when the device software tries to store more data in a temporary memory space (the stack) than it can hold. Because the router fails to check the size of incoming data, that excess information can overwrite adjacent memory. In this case, it can allow an attacker to disrupt the system or potentially force the device to run unauthorized instructions.

How is the CVE-2024-51312 vulnerability triggered?

An attacker triggers this flaw by sending a specifically crafted network request to a specific endpoint on the router's web management page, '/goform/SetStaticRouteCfg'. The vulnerability is not triggered by standard, legitimate traffic or normal web browsing. It requires a specially formatted packet designed to overwhelm the internal function that processes static route configurations.

Is my Tenda TX9 at risk?

Your risk depends on how the device is configured and deployed. According to Halo Surface Signal, this vulnerability is particularly concerning because the affected management interface is often exposed directly to the internet on SOHO routers. If your device is accessible from outside your local network, the likelihood that an attacker could reach the vulnerable function is higher than if it were restricted to internal traffic only.

What should I do if I use this router?

First, confirm if your hardware is running the specific V22.03.02.20 firmware version. If it is, check the manufacturer's official support page for any available firmware updates or security patches. Until an update is applied, consider restricting access to the web management interface so that it cannot be reached from the public internet, which limits the ability of unauthorized parties to send malicious requests to the device.

References