CVE-2024-41492 identifies a stack overflow vulnerability in the Tenda AX1806 router firmware version 1.0.0.1. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of crafted input that leads to a stack-based buffer overflow condition (CWE-121). This flaw can be triggered remotely over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction, making it highly accessible to attackers. When exploited, the overflow causes the device to crash or reboot, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability affects the availability of the device but does not compromise confidentiality or integrity. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting a high severity due to network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. Currently, there are no patches or firmware updates available from Tenda, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for organizations relying on the Tenda AX1806 for critical network connectivity, as disruption could impact business operations. The lack of authentication requirement and ease of exploitation increase the risk of automated attacks or widespread scanning. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in embedded device firmware, especially for consumer-grade networking equipment that is often deployed in enterprise and home environments.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-41492 is a denial of service condition on affected Tenda AX1806 routers, which can disrupt network availability. Organizations using these devices may experience unexpected outages, loss of internet connectivity, and interruption of critical services dependent on network access. This can lead to operational downtime, reduced productivity, and potential financial losses. Since the vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or integrity, data breaches are unlikely; however, the availability impact alone can be significant, especially in environments where these routers serve as primary gateways or are part of larger network infrastructures. The ease of exploitation without authentication or user interaction increases the risk of widespread attacks, including automated scanning and exploitation by threat actors. Additionally, denial of service attacks can be leveraged as part of multi-stage attacks or to distract security teams. The absence of patches means affected organizations must rely on network-level mitigations until vendor updates are released. The impact is more severe for organizations with limited network redundancy or those operating in critical sectors such as healthcare, finance, or government services.

1. Immediately restrict external network access to the Tenda AX1806 management interfaces by implementing firewall rules or access control lists (ACLs) to limit exposure to trusted IP addresses only. 2. Segment the network to isolate vulnerable devices from critical infrastructure and sensitive data environments to reduce potential impact. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual or malformed packets targeting the router, which could indicate exploitation attempts. 4. Regularly check for firmware updates or security advisories from Tenda and apply patches promptly once available. 5. Consider replacing vulnerable devices with models from vendors with stronger security track records if patching is delayed or unavailable. 6. Employ intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or anomaly detection capabilities to identify and block exploitation attempts. 7. Maintain robust incident response plans to quickly address any denial of service events and restore network availability. 8. Educate network administrators about this vulnerability and encourage proactive security hygiene, including changing default credentials and disabling unnecessary services on the router.