CVE-2025-15229 is a denial of service (DoS) vulnerability identified in the Tenda CH22 router models running firmware versions 1.0.0.0 and 1.0.0.1. The vulnerability resides in the fromDhcpListClient function, which processes DHCP client lists via the /goform/DhcpListClient endpoint. Specifically, the issue arises from improper handling of the LISTLEN argument, which can be manipulated by an attacker to cause the device to crash or become unresponsive, effectively denying service to legitimate users. The attack vector is remote and does not require any authentication or user interaction, increasing the attack surface significantly. The CVSS v4.0 score of 6.9 reflects a medium severity, considering the ease of exploitation (network accessible, no privileges needed) and the impact limited to availability without affecting confidentiality or integrity. Although no exploits have been observed in the wild yet, the public disclosure of the exploit code means attackers could develop and deploy attacks rapidly. The vulnerability affects the router’s availability, which can disrupt network operations for home users or small businesses relying on these devices. The lack of an official patch at the time of disclosure necessitates interim mitigations to reduce exposure.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-15229 is the denial of service of Tenda CH22 routers, which can lead to network outages and loss of connectivity for end users. This can disrupt business operations, especially for small enterprises or home offices relying on these routers for internet access. Since the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, attackers can launch DoS attacks from anywhere on the internet, potentially targeting multiple devices simultaneously to cause widespread disruption. Although the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, the loss of availability may affect critical communications and services. In environments where Tenda CH22 routers are deployed as part of larger network infrastructures, this could lead to cascading failures or increased operational costs due to downtime and troubleshooting. The public availability of exploit details increases the likelihood of opportunistic attacks, particularly in regions where these devices are prevalent.

1. Monitor Tenda’s official channels for firmware updates addressing CVE-2025-15229 and apply patches promptly once released. 2. Until patches are available, restrict access to the router’s management interfaces and the /goform/DhcpListClient endpoint by implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to block unauthorized inbound traffic. 3. Employ intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or anomaly detection capable of identifying suspicious requests targeting DHCP client list parameters. 4. Disable remote management features on the router if not required, reducing exposure to external attackers. 5. Regularly audit network devices for unusual behavior or crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts. 6. For organizations, consider deploying alternative or backup network devices to maintain connectivity during potential outages. 7. Educate users about the risk and encourage reporting of connectivity issues promptly to enable rapid response.