CVE-2011-1647 in WRVS4400N
Summary
by MITRE
The web management interface on the Cisco RVS4000 Gigabit Security Router with software 1.x before 1.3.3.4 and 2.x before 2.0.2.7, and the WRVS4400N Gigabit Security Router with software before 2.0.2.1, allows remote attackers to read the private key for the admin SSL certificate via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCtn23871.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1647 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco's RVS4000 and WRVS4400N Gigabit Security Router series, specifically affecting firmware versions prior to 1.3.3.4 for software 1.x, 2.0.2.7 for software 2.x, and 2.0.2.1 for the WRVS4400N model. This vulnerability exposes a fundamental weakness in the routers' web management interface that enables remote attackers to extract the private key associated with the administrator SSL certificate. The flaw falls under the category of improper certificate handling and weak cryptographic key protection mechanisms, which directly violates security best practices for network device administration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to access sensitive cryptographic material through unspecified vectors within the web management interface. This represents a severe compromise of the router's security architecture, as the private key for the SSL certificate used by administrators to access the device's management interface becomes accessible to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability specifically targets the configuration and management plane of the device, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines the authentication and encryption mechanisms that protect administrative access. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-310: Cryptographic Issues, with specific focus on improper key management and certificate exposure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected Cisco routers. Once an attacker obtains the private key, they can impersonate the administrative interface, potentially gaining full control over the router configuration, modifying firewall rules, changing administrator credentials, and establishing backdoor access points. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of network management communications, as the SSL certificate's private key is essential for maintaining secure administrative sessions. This exposure creates a pathway for persistent threats to establish long-term access to network infrastructure, particularly concerning the attack surface defined by the ATT&CK framework under T1021.001 for Remote Services and T1566.001 for Phishing.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including firmware updates to the latest available versions that address this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves upgrading all affected routers to firmware versions 1.3.3.4 for software 1.x, 2.0.2.7 for software 2.x, and 2.0.2.1 for WRVS4400N models. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing network segmentation to isolate management interfaces, disabling unnecessary administrative access points, and establishing robust monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper key lifecycle management and the need for secure configuration practices in network infrastructure devices, aligning with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 requirements for cryptographic key management and secure network administration.