CVE-2025-7597 Overview
CVE-2025-7597 is a stack-based buffer overflow [CWE-119] in the Tenda AX1803 router running firmware version 1.0.0.1. The flaw resides in the formSetMacFilterCfg function handling requests to /goform/setMacFilterCfg. An attacker who manipulates the deviceList argument can overflow a fixed-size stack buffer in the request handler. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable across the network, and public proof-of-concept details have been disclosed.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can corrupt stack memory on affected Tenda AX1803 routers, leading to denial of service or potential arbitrary code execution on the device firmware.
Affected Products
- Tenda AX1803 router (hardware)
- Tenda AX1803 firmware version 1.0.0.1
- Web management interface endpoint /goform/setMacFilterCfg
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-14 - CVE-2025-7597 published to NVD
- 2025-07-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-7597
Vulnerability Analysis
The Tenda AX1803 web management interface exposes the formSetMacFilterCfg handler at /goform/setMacFilterCfg. This handler processes MAC address filter configuration submitted by the administrator. The function copies attacker-controlled data from the deviceList HTTP parameter into a fixed-size stack buffer without enforcing bounds. When the supplied value exceeds the destination buffer length, adjacent stack memory is overwritten, including saved registers and the return address.
MIPS-based Tenda firmware historically lacks modern exploit mitigations such as stack canaries and consistent address space layout randomization. Successful corruption can therefore redirect execution flow, leading to arbitrary code execution in the context of the embedded HTTP server. The Common Weakness Enumeration classifies this defect as CWE-119: improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer.
Root Cause
The root cause is unbounded copying of HTTP POST parameter data into a stack-allocated buffer inside formSetMacFilterCfg. The handler does not validate the length of deviceList before invoking the copy routine, and no compiler-inserted canary protects the saved frame. Any request that supplies an oversized deviceList value corrupts the call frame.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network reachability to the router's HTTP management interface and authenticated access at the privileged level required to submit MAC filter configuration. An attacker crafts a POST request to /goform/setMacFilterCfg with an oversized deviceList parameter. On vulnerable firmware, the resulting stack overflow can crash the httpd process or be shaped to hijack control flow on the MIPS-based device. Public documentation of the issue is hosted in the GitHub Vulnerability Documentation repository and tracked in VulDB #316296.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-7597
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected reboots or crashes of the router httpd process tied to web administration activity
- HTTP POST requests to /goform/setMacFilterCfg containing abnormally long deviceList values
- Administrative sessions originating from unfamiliar source IP addresses on the LAN or WAN management interface
Detection Strategies
- Inspect router and upstream firewall logs for POST requests targeting /goform/setMacFilterCfg and flag payloads exceeding expected MAC list lengths
- Deploy network intrusion detection signatures that match oversized deviceList parameter values directed at Tenda goform endpoints
- Correlate device reachability loss with prior HTTP administration traffic to identify probable exploitation attempts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Continuously monitor the availability and uptime of edge routers to identify abnormal restarts
- Enable syslog forwarding from the router to a central collector and alert on repeated HTTP 5xx responses from /goform/ URIs
- Track configuration changes to MAC filtering rules and alert on unauthorized modifications
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-7597
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to the router's web management interface to trusted internal hosts only and disable remote WAN administration
- Change the default administrator credentials and enforce a strong unique password to limit attacker access to authenticated endpoints
- Segment the AX1803 management plane onto a dedicated VLAN inaccessible from guest or IoT networks
Patch Information
No vendor patch has been published in the CVE record at the time of writing. Consult the Tenda Official Website for firmware updates for the AX1803 platform. Until a fixed firmware release is available, treat all AX1803 devices running firmware 1.0.0.1 as exposed.
Workarounds
- Disable the web management interface when it is not actively in use for configuration
- Place the router behind an upstream firewall and block external access to ports 80 and 443 of the device
- Replace the device with a supported model if the vendor does not publish a timely firmware update
# Configuration example: block external access to the router admin interface
# Example iptables rule on an upstream Linux gateway
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp -d <router_ip> --dport 80 -m iprange ! --src-range 10.0.0.0-10.0.0.255 -j DROP
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp -d <router_ip> --dport 443 -m iprange ! --src-range 10.0.0.0-10.0.0.255 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
