A critical buffer overflow vulnerability (CVE-2025-4298) has been identified in Tenda AC1206 routers, affecting firmware versions up to 15.03.06.23. The flaw resides in the formSetCfm function of the /goform/setcfm endpoint, allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or crash the device without authentication. With a CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH), this vulnerability poses significant risks to network security, particularly given the availability of public exploit code1.
Vulnerability Overview
The vulnerability stems from improper input validation in the formSetCfm function, leading to a buffer overflow condition. Attackers can exploit this by sending crafted HTTP requests to the router’s web interface, potentially gaining full control of the device. The exploit is network-based and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous for exposed devices. According to the NVD entry, this falls under CWE-120 (Buffer Copy without Checking Input Size) and CWE-119 (Improper Memory Buffer Restriction)2.
Public exploit code has been published on GitHub, demonstrating how to trigger the overflow3. The vulnerability affects all Tenda AC1206 devices running firmware versions prior to 15.03.06.23. As of May 2025, no official patch has been released by the vendor.
Technical Details
The vulnerability occurs when processing input in the /goform/setcfm endpoint. The formSetCfm function fails to properly validate the length of user-supplied data before copying it to a fixed-size buffer. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially altering program flow or executing arbitrary code.
Analysis of the GitHub PoC reveals that the exploit sends a specially crafted POST request containing an oversized payload to the vulnerable endpoint. Successful exploitation could lead to:
- Remote code execution with router privileges
- Denial of service conditions
- Persistence through modified firmware
- Network traffic interception
Mitigation Strategies
Until an official patch is available, organizations should implement the following mitigations:
- Disable remote administration on all affected Tenda AC1206 routers
- Implement network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices
- Deploy intrusion detection rules to monitor for exploit attempts
- Restrict access to the router’s web interface using firewall rules
Monitoring Tenda’s official website for firmware updates is recommended4. Organizations should also consider replacing affected devices with more secure alternatives if timely patches are not forthcoming.
Related Vulnerabilities
This is not the first buffer overflow vulnerability found in Tenda devices. Similar issues have been reported in:
| CVE | Affected Function | CVSS Score |
|---|---|---|
| CVE-2025-3328 | /goform/fast_setting_wifi_set | 8.5 |
| CVE-2025-29029 | formSetSpeedWan | 7.8 |
These recurring vulnerabilities suggest systemic issues in Tenda’s firmware development practices, particularly around input validation and memory management.
Conclusion
CVE-2025-4298 represents a serious threat to networks using vulnerable Tenda AC1206 routers. The combination of remote exploitability, high impact potential, and public exploit availability makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous. Organizations should prioritize mitigation efforts and monitor for official patches from the vendor.
The broader pattern of similar vulnerabilities in Tenda devices highlights the importance of thorough security testing in IoT device firmware development. Future research should examine whether these vulnerabilities stem from shared code components or development practices within the vendor’s ecosystem.
References
- “CVE-2025-4298 Detail,” National Vulnerability Database, May 2025. [Online]. Available: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-4298
- “GHSA-f4x7-vp5w-9×56,” GitHub Advisory Database, May 2025. [Online]. Available: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-f4x7-vp5w-9×56
- “Tenda AC1206 formSetCfm Buffer Overflow,” GitHub, May 2025. [Online]. Available: https://github.com/CH13hh/tmp_store_cc/blob/main/AC1206/AC1206formSetCfm/formSetCfm.md
- “Tenda Official Website,” Tenda Technology, May 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.tenda.com.cn
- “CVE-2025-3328: Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in Tenda AC1206,” Ameeba, May 2025. [Online]. Available: https://ameeba.com/blog/cve-2025-3328-buffer-overflow-vulnerability-in-tenda-ac1206-could-lead-to-system-compromise
- “CVE-2025-29029,” CVE Details, May 2025. [Online]. Available: https://cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2025-29029
- “Technical Analysis of CVE-2025-4298,” VulDB, May 2025. [Online]. Available: https://vuldb.com/?id.307402
