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HighPublic exploit

Buffer Overflow in Tenda AC23 saveParentControlInfo

IdentifiersCVE-2025-12596CWE-120· Buffer Copy without Checking Size…

CVE-2025-12596 is a remotely exploitable buffer overflow vulnerability affecting Tenda AC23 firmware version 16.03.07.52. The flaw is in the saveParentControlInfo function exposed through the /goform/saveParentControlInfo endpoint. According to the provided content, crafted manipulation of the Time argument can trigger a buffer overflow, resulting in memory corruption in the router process handling the request. Public exploit details have been disclosed.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

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Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation can cause memory corruption in the affected Tenda AC23 service and may allow an attacker to compromise the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the device. The provided scoring and classification indicate high impact across C, I, and A. At minimum, exploitation may crash the vulnerable service or device; depending on exploit reliability and runtime conditions, it may also enable further control over the affected router process.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Restrict network access to the router management interface and specifically to the /goform/saveParentControlInfo functionality so it is not reachable from untrusted networks. Limit administrative exposure to trusted hosts or management VLANs, disable remote administration if not required, and place the device behind ACLs/firewall rules. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unexpected requests targeting /goform/saveParentControlInfo and filtering malformed or oversized input to the Time parameter where possible.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply vendor-provided firmware updates or fixed releases from Tenda as soon as they are available for AC23 devices running 16.03.07.52. Because the vulnerable condition is tied to unsafe handling of the Time parameter in /goform/saveParentControlInfo, remediation should include correcting bounds checking and input handling for that parameter. If no patched firmware is available, prioritize upgrading to a non-vulnerable firmware branch or replacing the affected device.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

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VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

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VendorProductType
TendaAc23 Firmwareoperating_system

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Threat actor evidence

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Associated malware1

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Detection signatures

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Vendor-by-vendor mapping

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Social activity5

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