CVE-2026-78169 Overview
CVE-2026-78169 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting UTT HiPER 1250GW routers running firmware versions up to 3.2.7-210907-180535. The flaw resides in the HTTP request handler, specifically in the strcpy call within the /goform/aspRemoteApConfTempSend endpoint. An attacker who manipulates the Profile argument can overflow the stack buffer and corrupt adjacent memory. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network and a public exploit is available. The weakness is classified under CWE-119: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers with low privileges can trigger a stack-based buffer overflow through the HTTP interface, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or denial of service on affected UTT HiPER 1250GW routers.
Affected Products
- UTT HiPER 1250GW router
- Firmware versions up to and including 3.2.7-210907-180535
- HTTP Request Handler component processing /goform/aspRemoteApConfTempSend
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-08-24 - CVE-2026-78169 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-08-24 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-78169
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the HTTP request handler of the UTT HiPER 1250GW router firmware. When a client sends a request to the /goform/aspRemoteApConfTempSend endpoint, the handler copies the attacker-controlled Profile parameter into a fixed-size stack buffer using the unsafe strcpy function. Because strcpy performs no length validation, oversized input overwrites the return address and saved registers on the stack. Attackers can leverage this to redirect execution flow. Given that HiPER 1250GW is an enterprise-grade router exposing its management interface, successful exploitation can compromise the network perimeter. The exploit is publicly available, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic scanning against exposed devices.
Root Cause
The root cause is the use of strcpy without bounds checking on user-supplied HTTP parameters. The Profile argument accepted by aspRemoteApConfTempSend is copied directly into a stack-allocated buffer. This matches the [CWE-119] pattern where operations occur outside the bounds of a memory buffer. The web management interface does not sanitize or truncate the input prior to invoking the vulnerable copy routine.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the router's HTTP management interface and low-privilege authentication. An attacker crafts an HTTP request targeting /goform/aspRemoteApConfTempSend with an oversized Profile parameter. The overflow overwrites the stack frame of the handler function. On embedded MIPS or ARM router platforms, this typically enables return-oriented programming (ROP) against the firmware's memory layout to achieve arbitrary code execution. Refer to the public technical writeup on GitHub and the VulDB vulnerability report for reproduction details.
No verified code examples are available. The vulnerability mechanism is described above in prose; see the linked references for proof-of-concept details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-78169
Indicators of Compromise
- Inbound HTTP POST or GET requests to /goform/aspRemoteApConfTempSend containing abnormally long Profile parameter values
- Unexpected router reboots, crash loops, or web management interface unavailability following HTTP traffic to the goform endpoints
- Outbound connections from the router to unknown external hosts, indicating potential post-exploitation activity
Detection Strategies
- Deploy network intrusion detection signatures that flag HTTP requests to /goform/aspRemoteApConfTempSend where the Profile parameter exceeds a reasonable byte length threshold
- Monitor router syslog output for watchdog-triggered restarts or httpd process crashes correlated with inbound HTTP activity
- Correlate HTTP access logs from the router against threat intelligence feeds tracking exploitation of the VulDB CVE-2026-78169 record
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward router logs and network flow data into a centralized SIEM for pattern analysis across the fleet
- Baseline normal request sizes to the /goform/ administrative endpoints and alert on statistical outliers
- Track authentication events on the management interface and flag repeated low-privilege logins preceding suspicious requests
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-78169
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to the router's HTTP management interface to trusted management VLANs or jump hosts using ACLs
- Disable remote WAN-side administration on affected HiPER 1250GW devices until a vendor patch is available
- Rotate all administrative credentials to reduce the risk of low-privilege attacker access required for exploitation
- Inventory all UTT HiPER 1250GW devices and confirm firmware versions against 3.2.7-210907-180535
Patch Information
No vendor patch has been published in the enriched CVE data at the time of writing. Administrators should monitor the VulDB vulnerability report and UTT vendor channels for firmware updates. Until a fixed firmware release is available, apply the network-level mitigations described below.
Workarounds
- Place affected routers behind an upstream firewall that blocks external access to TCP ports serving the web management interface
- Enforce strong authentication on the management interface and remove any default or shared operator accounts
- Segment management traffic onto an out-of-band network to prevent user-network attackers from reaching the vulnerable endpoint
No verified configuration example is available. Consult the UTT HiPER 1250GW administration guide for ACL syntax specific to your firmware version.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
