CVE-2024-9562 Overview
CVE-2024-9562 is a buffer overflow vulnerability affecting the D-Link DIR-605L router running firmware version 2.13B01 BETA. The flaw resides in the formSetWizard1 and formSetWizard2 functions, where improper handling of the curTime argument permits an attacker to overflow a fixed-size buffer. Remote attackers with low privileges can trigger the condition over the network without user interaction. Public disclosure of the exploit details on GitHub and VulDB increases the likelihood of opportunistic exploitation against exposed devices. The DIR-605L is a legacy consumer router, and firmware updates may not be available for all deployments.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can corrupt router memory through the curTime parameter, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or denial of service on affected DIR-605L devices.
Affected Products
- D-Link DIR-605L router (hardware)
- D-Link DIR-605L firmware version 2.13B01 BETA
- Any deployment exposing the router web management interface
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-06 - CVE-2024-9562 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in the NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-9562
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a classic buffer overflow [CWE-120] in the router's web-based configuration wizard. The formSetWizard1 and formSetWizard2 handlers process the curTime parameter without validating its length before copying it into a bounded stack buffer. An authenticated attacker sending an oversized curTime value can overwrite adjacent memory, including return addresses on the stack. Because MIPS-based consumer routers typically lack modern exploit mitigations such as ASLR and stack canaries, exploitation is straightforward once the offset is known. The impact ranges from crashing the HTTP daemon to executing attacker-supplied shellcode with the privileges of the web server process, generally root on these devices.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input length validation on the curTime argument passed to the wizard form handlers. The firmware copies user-controlled data into a fixed-size buffer using an unbounded string operation, violating safe memory-handling practices required by [CWE-120].
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network against the router's HTTP management interface. An attacker who can reach the web UI, either from the LAN or a WAN-exposed interface, submits a crafted POST request to the formSetWizard1 or formSetWizard2 endpoint with an oversized curTime value. Low-privilege authentication is required, but many DIR-605L units run with default credentials.
The vulnerability manifests when the formSetWizard1/formSetWizard2
handlers copy the curTime request parameter into a fixed-size local
buffer without length validation. See the referenced GitHub
documentation and VulDB entry #279370 for parameter offsets and
technical reproduction details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-9562
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP POST requests to /goform/formSetWizard1 or /goform/formSetWizard2 containing abnormally long curTime values
- Unexpected reboots, HTTP daemon crashes, or loss of management access on DIR-605L devices
- Outbound connections from the router to unknown hosts following suspicious wizard requests
Detection Strategies
- Inspect network traffic for POST bodies to formSetWizard endpoints where the curTime parameter exceeds expected timestamp lengths
- Deploy IDS/IPS signatures that flag oversized parameters targeting D-Link /goform/ handlers
- Correlate router syslog messages indicating HTTP process restarts with recent management-interface activity
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward router logs to a centralized SIEM and alert on repeated crashes of the web management service
- Monitor for unauthorized configuration changes on affected DIR-605L units
- Track WAN-side access attempts to the router administrative interface and block them at the perimeter
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-9562
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable remote WAN management on the DIR-605L and restrict administrative access to trusted LAN hosts only
- Change default administrative credentials to strong, unique values
- Segment the router's management interface using a dedicated VLAN or management network
- Plan replacement of end-of-life DIR-605L hardware with a currently supported router model
Patch Information
No vendor patch has been published in the referenced advisories at the time of NVD publication. Consult the D-Link Official Website and the GitHub Vulnerability Documentation for updates. Given the DIR-605L product lifecycle, firmware updates addressing this issue may not be released.
Workarounds
- Block inbound access to TCP port 80 and 443 on the router's WAN interface
- Restrict LAN-side access to the web UI through firewall rules on upstream network devices
- Replace the device with a supported router that receives active security updates
# Example: restrict router admin access to a management subnet only
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s 192.0.2.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 192.0.2.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
