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CVE-2024-3079NVD status: Deferred

ZenWiFi XT8: Stack-based Buffer Overflow

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-3079 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in ZenWiFi XT8 from ASUS, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected ZenWiFi XT8 versions: earlier through 3.0.0.4.388_24609. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.83% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 58% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update rt-ax58u_firmware to 3.0.0.4.388_24762 or a later version.
  2. Update rt-ax88u_firmware to 3.0.0.4.388_24209 or a later version.
  3. Update rt-ax57_firmware to 3.0.0.4.386_52294 or a later version.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
ASUSZenWiFi XT8earlier through 3.0.0.4.388_24609Not stated
ASUSZenWiFi XT8 V2earlier through 3.0.0.4.388_24609Not stated
ASUSRT-AX88Uearlier through 3.0.0.4.388_24198Not stated
ASUSRT-AX58Uearlier through 3.0.0.4.388_23925Not stated
ASUSRT-AX57earlier through 3.0.0.4.386_52294Not stated
ASUSRT-AC86Uearlier through 3.0.0.4.386_51915Not stated
ASUSRT-AC68Uearlier through 3.0.0.4.386_51668Not stated
ASUSrt-ax58u_firmwarebefore 3.0.0.4.388_247623.0.0.4.388_24762
ASUSrt-ax88u_firmwarebefore 3.0.0.4.388_242093.0.0.4.388_24209
ASUSrt-ax57_firmwarebefore 3.0.0.4.386_522943.0.0.4.386_52294
ASUSrt-ac86u_firmwarebefore 3.0.0.4.386_519153.0.0.4.386_51915
ASUSrt-ac68u_firmwarebefore 3.0.0.4.386_516683.0.0.4.386_51668
ASUSzenwifi_xt8_firmwarebefore 3.0.0.4.388_246093.0.0.4.388_24609
ASUSzenwifi_xt8_v2_firmwarebefore 3.0.0.4.388_246093.0.0.4.388_24609

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (cert.org.tw).

Official description

Certain models of ASUS routers have buffer overflow vulnerabilities, allowing remote attackers with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary commands on the device.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Stack-based Buffer Overflow

The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the stack.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.
  • Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
  • Implement and perform bounds checking on input.

More Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities (CWE-121)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in ZenWiFi XT8

All ZenWiFi XT8 vulnerabilities

Recent Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities

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