CVE-2025-15006: Tenda WH450 Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2025-15006 Overview

A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability has been identified in Tenda WH450 wireless router firmware version 1.0.0.18. This vulnerability affects the HTTP Request Handler component, specifically within the /goform/CheckTools endpoint. An attacker can exploit this flaw by manipulating the ipaddress argument, causing a stack-based buffer overflow that can be triggered remotely over the network without authentication.

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code, compromise device integrity, and gain unauthorized access to the affected network infrastructure. A proof-of-concept exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of active exploitation.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can exploit this buffer overflow vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on Tenda WH450 routers, potentially compromising entire network segments and enabling lateral movement within enterprise environments.

Affected Products

• Tenda WH450 Firmware version 1.0.0.18
• Tenda WH450 Hardware devices running affected firmware

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-12-22 - CVE-2025-15006 published to NVD
• 2026-02-24 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-15006

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from improper boundary checking in the HTTP Request Handler of the Tenda WH450 router firmware. When processing requests to the /goform/CheckTools endpoint, the firmware fails to properly validate the length of the ipaddress parameter before copying it to a fixed-size stack buffer. This allows an attacker to provide an oversized input that overwrites adjacent memory on the stack, including the return address and other critical control structures.

The vulnerability is classified under CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer), which encompasses buffer overflow conditions where memory operations exceed allocated boundaries. Since the affected endpoint is accessible over the network without requiring authentication, any attacker with network access to the router's management interface can attempt exploitation.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is insufficient input validation in the CheckTools functionality. The firmware does not enforce proper bounds checking on the ipaddress parameter before performing memory operations. When user-supplied data exceeds the expected buffer size, it overflows into adjacent stack memory, corrupting program control flow structures.

This is a common vulnerability pattern in embedded device firmware, where resource constraints and legacy code practices often lead to the use of unsafe string handling functions without proper length validation.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring the attacker to send specially crafted HTTP requests to the router's web management interface. The exploitation process involves:

1. Identifying a vulnerable Tenda WH450 device exposed on the network
2. Sending a malicious HTTP request to /goform/CheckTools with an oversized ipaddress parameter
3. The oversized input overflows the stack buffer, corrupting the return address
4. Control flow is redirected to attacker-controlled code, enabling arbitrary code execution

The attack requires no authentication and can be initiated remotely by any attacker with network access to the device's management interface. The public availability of exploitation details through the GitHub PoC Repository increases the likelihood of exploitation attempts.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-15006

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP POST requests to /goform/CheckTools containing abnormally large ipaddress parameter values
• Router crashes or unexpected reboots indicating potential exploitation attempts
• Suspicious outbound connections from the router to unknown external IP addresses
• Unauthorized configuration changes on the device

Detection Strategies

• Deploy network intrusion detection signatures to identify HTTP requests to /goform/CheckTools with oversized parameters
• Monitor router logs for repeated access attempts to the CheckTools endpoint
• Implement deep packet inspection to detect buffer overflow payload patterns in HTTP traffic
• Configure SIEM alerts for anomalous traffic patterns involving router management interfaces

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable logging on all network devices and forward logs to a central SIEM platform
• Monitor for firmware integrity changes or unauthorized modifications to router configurations
• Establish baseline network behavior for router management traffic and alert on deviations
• Regularly scan network perimeters for exposed Tenda device management interfaces

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-15006

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to the router's web management interface using firewall rules
• Disable remote management capabilities if not required for operations
• Isolate affected devices on a separate network segment until patches are available
• Monitor affected devices for signs of compromise

Patch Information

At the time of this publication, no official patch information has been released by Tenda. Organizations should monitor the Tenda Official Website for security updates and firmware releases addressing this vulnerability. Additional technical details are available through VulDB #337712.

Workarounds

• Implement access control lists (ACLs) to restrict access to the router management interface to trusted IP addresses only
• Place the router behind a properly configured firewall that blocks external access to management ports
• Consider replacing affected devices with alternative networking equipment if patches are not forthcoming
• Deploy network segmentation to limit the blast radius of potential compromise

# Example firewall configuration to restrict management access
# Block external access to router management interface
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s 192.168.1.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 192.168.1.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP