CVE-2023-40801Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authenticated root shell via unchecked stack copy

Published Aug 25, 2023 · Updated Oct 2, 2024

Stack overflow in Tenda AC23 firmware 16.03.07.45_cn allows remote authenticated users to crash the router via a crafted Wi-Fi request. The sub_451784 function copies the unbounded security_5g parameter from WifiBasicSet into a stack buffer with strcpy. A valid management session is required; the published PoC demonstrates a crash and states that crafted exploitation obtains a root shell.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.90%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Stack overflow in Tenda AC23 firmware 16.03.07.45_cn allows remote authenticated users to crash the router via a crafted Wi-Fi request. The sub_451784 function copies the unbounded security_5g parameter from WifiBasicSet into a stack buffer with strcpy. A valid management session is required; the published PoC demonstrates a crash and states that crafted exploitation obtains a root shell.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-40801
Published
Aug 25, 2023
Updated
Oct 2, 2024
Vendor
Shenzhen Tenda Technology Co., Ltd.
Product
AC23
Classifications
CWE-20, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 25, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 2, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=v16.03.07.45_cn

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Shenzhen Tenda Technology Co., Ltd. · AC23version=v16.03.07.45_cn

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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