CVE-2014-2178 in VPN Router
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the administrative web 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 attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators, aka Bug ID CSCuh87145.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2022
The CVE-2014-2178 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw affecting Cisco RV series routers including RV220W, RV120W, RV180, and RV180W models. This vulnerability resides within the administrative web interface of these network devices, creating a significant security risk that enables remote attackers to exploit the authentication mechanisms of administrators without their knowledge or consent. The flaw specifically impacts firmware versions prior to 1.0.5.9 for RV120W devices and before 1.0.4.14 for RV180 and RV180W devices, while RV220W devices were affected until version 1.0.5.9. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-352 category, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications.
The technical exploitation of this CSRF vulnerability occurs when an authenticated administrator visits a malicious website or clicks on a crafted link that triggers unauthorized administrative actions on the affected router. The attacker can leverage this flaw to perform administrative functions such as changing router configurations, modifying user accounts, updating firmware, or altering network settings without possessing valid credentials or knowledge of the administrator's session. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the administrative interface level, providing attackers with elevated privileges that could compromise the entire network infrastructure. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 which involves credential harvesting through web applications and session management flaws.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2178 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete network compromise and unauthorized data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can modify firewall rules, redirect traffic through malicious servers, change DNS settings, or even install backdoors on the router. The affected devices typically serve as network gateways, making them prime targets for attackers seeking persistent access to corporate or residential networks. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or network knowledge to exploit it, significantly broadening the attack surface. Organizations using these vulnerable router models face risks of data breaches, network disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate firmware updates to the latest available versions that contain patches addressing the CSRF flaw. Cisco released security updates for all affected models, and administrators should verify their device firmware versions against the vendor's security advisory. Network segmentation and monitoring can provide additional layers of protection by limiting the scope of potential attacks and detecting unauthorized configuration changes. Implementing proper web application firewalls and ensuring that administrative interfaces are not directly accessible from untrusted networks can also reduce the risk. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should include checking for outdated firmware versions, particularly in legacy network equipment. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary administrative services and implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access where possible. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping network infrastructure firmware updated and maintaining comprehensive security monitoring programs to detect and respond to exploitation attempts.