CVE-2022-24973: TP-Link TL-WR940N httpd ssid1 Stack-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Published Mar 28, 2023

Updated

This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of TP-Link TL-WR940N 3.20.1 Build 200316 Rel.34392n (5553) routers. Authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the httpd service, which listens on TCP port 80 by default. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a fixed-length stack-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-13992.

Other sources

This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of TP-Link TL-WR940N routers. Authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the httpd service, which listens on TCP port 80 by default. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a fixed-length stack-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root.

— ZDI

Affected Software

3 affected components

TP-Link TL-WR940N

TP-Link Tl-wr940n Firmware=3.20.1-build_200316

TP-Link TL-WR940N

Event History

Mar 28, 2023

CVE Published

via MITRE·12:00 AM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·12:00 AM

DescriptionSeverityWeakness

Mar 24, 2025

Advisory Published

via ZDI·03:10 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-24973?

CVE-2022-24973 is a vulnerability that allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of TP-Link TL-WR940N 3.20.1 Build 200316 Rel.34392n (5553) routers.

How can an attacker exploit CVE-2022-24973?

Authentication is required for an attacker to exploit CVE-2022-24973. They can execute arbitrary code on the affected router by exploiting a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the httpd service.

What is the severity of CVE-2022-24973?

CVE-2022-24973 has a severity value of 8, indicating a high severity.

What is the affected software of CVE-2022-24973?

The affected software is TP-Link TL-WR940N 3.20.1 Build 200316 Rel.34392n (5553) routers.

How can I fix CVE-2022-24973?

To fix CVE-2022-24973, update the firmware of your TP-Link TL-WR940N router to a version that is not affected by this vulnerability.