CVE-2022-45657 is a high-severity buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the Tenda AC6V1.0 router firmware version V15.03.05.19. The flaw exists in the fromSetIpMacBind function, specifically triggered via the 'list' parameter. Buffer overflow vulnerabilities, classified under CWE-120, occur when data exceeds the allocated buffer size, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory. In this case, the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N), making it highly accessible for attackers. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, indicating a high severity level. The impact vector indicates that while confidentiality and integrity are not directly affected (C:N, I:N), the availability of the device can be compromised (A:H), likely causing denial of service or device crashes. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been published yet. The vulnerability affects a specific firmware version of the Tenda AC6 router, a consumer-grade networking device commonly used for home and small office internet connectivity. The absence of vendor or product details beyond the firmware version limits the scope of precise technical mitigation from the vendor side, but the nature of the vulnerability suggests that malformed network packets targeting the IP-MAC binding functionality can trigger the overflow. Attackers could leverage this to disrupt network services or potentially execute arbitrary code if further exploitation is possible, although no such impact is confirmed here.

For European organizations, especially small businesses and home offices relying on Tenda AC6 routers, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to network availability. Disruption of router functionality can lead to loss of internet connectivity, impacting business operations, remote work, and access to cloud services. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise data confidentiality or integrity, denial of service conditions can cause operational downtime and productivity loss. Additionally, if attackers develop advanced exploits, there is a potential risk of further compromise, such as device takeover or lateral movement within networks. Given the widespread use of consumer-grade routers in European households and small enterprises, this vulnerability could be exploited to launch broader denial of service campaigns or targeted attacks against less protected network segments. The lack of authentication and user interaction requirements increases the threat level, as attackers can scan and exploit vulnerable devices remotely without user involvement.

1. Immediate mitigation should include isolating vulnerable Tenda AC6 routers from critical network segments to limit exposure. 2. Network administrators should implement strict firewall rules to restrict inbound traffic to router management interfaces, especially blocking unsolicited access to IP-MAC binding functions or related services. 3. Monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns targeting the router’s IP-MAC binding features can help detect exploitation attempts early. 4. Where possible, replace or upgrade affected Tenda AC6 devices to newer firmware versions once patches are released by the vendor. 5. If firmware updates are unavailable, consider deploying alternative router hardware from vendors with active security support. 6. Employ network segmentation to limit the impact of potential router failures on critical systems. 7. Encourage users to disable remote management features on routers unless absolutely necessary. 8. Maintain up-to-date network device inventories to quickly identify and remediate vulnerable devices. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on network-level controls and device lifecycle management specific to the affected product and vulnerability characteristics.