CVE-2025-45427 is a critical security vulnerability identified in the Tenda AC9 wireless router, specifically in firmware version V15.03.05.14_multi. The vulnerability arises from a stack-based buffer overflow in the handling of the /goform/WifiBasicSet endpoint, which is responsible for configuring basic Wi-Fi settings. This flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to send specially crafted HTTP requests to the router's web interface, triggering the overflow and enabling arbitrary code execution on the device. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 (Stack-based Buffer Overflow), indicating that improper bounds checking leads to memory corruption. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 9.8, reflecting its critical severity with network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Exploitation does not require authentication or user interaction, making it highly exploitable remotely. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to fully compromise the router, potentially gaining control over network traffic, intercepting sensitive data, deploying malware, or pivoting to internal network assets. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the critical nature and ease of exploitation make it a significant threat. No official patches or vendor advisories have been published yet, increasing the urgency for mitigation and monitoring. The vulnerability affects a specific Tenda router model and firmware version, limiting the scope but still posing a serious risk to users of this device.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-45427 could be substantial, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and home office environments relying on Tenda AC9 routers for internet connectivity. Compromise of these routers could lead to interception and manipulation of sensitive corporate communications, unauthorized access to internal networks, and disruption of business operations due to denial of service or malware propagation. Given the router’s role as a network gateway, attackers could establish persistent footholds, exfiltrate confidential data, or launch further attacks against connected systems. The critical severity and remote exploitability without authentication increase the risk of widespread exploitation if the vulnerability becomes publicly weaponized. European organizations with limited IT security resources may be particularly vulnerable due to delayed patching or lack of awareness. Additionally, sectors with high regulatory requirements for data protection (e.g., finance, healthcare) could face compliance risks if breaches occur through this vector. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the threat landscape could rapidly evolve.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on isolating affected Tenda AC9 routers from critical network segments until a firmware update is available. 2. Network administrators should implement strict firewall rules to block inbound HTTP requests targeting the router’s management interface from untrusted networks, especially WAN interfaces. 3. Disable remote management features on the router if enabled, to reduce exposure. 4. Monitor network traffic for unusual patterns or unexpected connections to the router’s web interface. 5. Employ network segmentation to limit the impact of a compromised router on sensitive internal systems. 6. Regularly audit and inventory network devices to identify the presence of vulnerable Tenda AC9 models. 7. Engage with Tenda support channels to obtain or request firmware patches or updates addressing this vulnerability. 8. Consider replacing vulnerable devices with models from vendors with stronger security track records if patching is delayed. 9. Educate users and IT staff about the risks of unpatched network devices and the importance of timely updates. 10. Deploy intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures tuned to detect exploitation attempts targeting /goform/WifiBasicSet or related attack patterns.