PoC Exploit Released for TP-Link Code Execution Vulnerability(CVE-2024-54887)

Research has unveiled a significant security vulnerability in the TP-Link TL-WR940N router, specifically affecting hardware versions 3 and 4.

This exploit grants authenticated users the potential for remote code execution (RCE) through a stack buffer overflow in the device’s web interface.

The flaw is present in the device’s firmware up to the latest version, but has been mitigated in subsequent hardware revisions.

Exploit Development Process

The vulnerability was discovered through a structured approach involving reverse engineering, code analysis, and exploit development.

The exploit leverages improper parameter length validation in the HTTP request handling of the router’s web interface.

The researcher utilized a combination of static and dynamic analysis techniques, including the emulation of the device firmware using Firmadyne, to identify unsafe C function calls such as strcpy() that lead to memory corruption.

Code Execution Vulnerability
An Unbounded strcpy() of the

Upon executing crafted requests with oversized inputs, the exploit was able to overwrite critical memory locations, including return addresses and saved registers.

This facilitated the use of Return Oriented Programming (ROP) to achieve remote code execution by chaining existing code snippets (gadgets) from the router’s libraries.

Key Steps in the Exploit Development

A comprehensive analysis of web interface functionalities revealed several instances of unsafe function calls, particularly with buffer functions that did not incorporate essential length checks.

This vulnerability was further validated through controlled test cases, which demonstrated that overly large payloads could overwrite memory, ultimately compromising the program’s execution flow.

In response to these findings, the researcher developed an appropriate Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) chain designed to redirect execution to specific shellcode, facilitating the establishment of a network socket and the creation of a bind shell.

Code Execution Vulnerability
Gadget Chain Overview

The discovery was responsibly disclosed to TP-Link, which responded promptly. The affected hardware versions have reached their end-of-life and will not receive further security updates.

However, the company acknowledged the research and facilitated the assignment of the CVE-2024-54887 identifier to the vulnerability.

  • November 11, 2024: Vulnerability disclosed to TP-Link.
  • January 6, 2025: CVE-2024-54887 assigned.
  • January 9, 2025: CVE-2024-54887 publicly published.

This case underscores the critical need for stringent security practices in the development of IoT devices and the importance of timely updates for legacy systems.

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