CVE-2014-2177 in VPN Router
Summary
by MITRE
The network-diagnostics administration interface in the Cisco RV router firmware on RV220W devices, before 1.0.5.9 on RV120W devices, and before 1.0.4.14 on RV180 and RV180W devices allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted HTTP request, aka Bug ID CSCuh87126.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2177 represents a critical command injection flaw within the network-diagnostics administration interface of Cisco RV series routers. This vulnerability specifically affects multiple models including the RV220W, RV120W, RV180, and RV180W devices, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these networking appliances. The flaw exists in the firmware implementations of these devices, where the administrative interface fails to properly validate and sanitize input parameters received through HTTP requests. This weakness allows authenticated attackers who have gained access to the device's administrative interface to craft malicious HTTP requests that can execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94, which respectively address command injection and code injection flaws in software systems. The vulnerability operates through a classic input validation bypass mechanism where the network diagnostics interface does not adequately filter user-supplied data before processing it as part of system commands. This allows attackers to inject malicious command sequences that get executed with the privileges of the administrative account. The attack requires only authentication to the device's web interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers who have obtained valid credentials through various means including credential theft, social engineering, or brute force attacks. The vulnerability specifically impacts the diagnostic functionality of the routers, which is designed to allow network administrators to troubleshoot connectivity issues and monitor network performance.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2177 extends beyond simple unauthorized command execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to the complete network infrastructure controlled by these routers. Once exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to gain full control over the affected devices, potentially allowing them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, or establish persistent access points within the network. This represents a significant threat to network security as the compromised routers can serve as entry points for lateral movement within the network, facilitating broader attacks against internal systems. The vulnerability also poses risks to network availability, as attackers could potentially cause service disruption by modifying routing configurations or disabling network services through the executed commands.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided firmware updates that address this vulnerability, which are available through Cisco's security advisory pages and their official support channels. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit administrative access to these devices, implementing principle of least privilege and multi-factor authentication where possible. Regular security assessments and monitoring of network devices for unauthorized access attempts should be conducted, with particular attention to anomalous HTTP requests or command executions that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of network security monitoring and incident response procedures, as early detection of such attacks can prevent significant damage to network infrastructure and data integrity. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists and firewall rules to restrict access to administrative interfaces from untrusted networks.