CVE-2015-6319 in RV220W
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the web-based management interface on Cisco RV220W devices allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a crafted header in an HTTP request, aka Bug ID CSCuv29574.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2022
The CVE-2015-6319 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw in Cisco RV220W wireless routers that exposes the device's web-based management interface to remote exploitation. This vulnerability specifically affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms within the router's web interface, where improperly sanitized HTTP headers are processed without adequate input validation. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious SQL commands directly into the database queries that handle user authentication and session management, potentially allowing unauthorized access to the device's administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization within the router's web server component that processes HTTP requests. When attackers craft malicious HTTP headers containing SQL injection payloads, these inputs are directly concatenated into database queries without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as weaknesses in input validation and query construction. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the router's web interface as an attack vector, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no local access or physical presence to exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete device compromise and potential network infiltration. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the router's backend database, potentially enabling them to extract sensitive information, modify user credentials, or even escalate privileges to full administrative control. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access points within the network. The vulnerability affects all Cisco RV220W devices running firmware versions prior to the security patch release, making it particularly concerning for organizations with legacy network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6319 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Cisco to address the underlying SQL injection flaw. Organizations must also implement network segmentation to isolate critical devices and deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious HTTP headers. Additionally, network administrators should disable unnecessary web management interfaces and restrict access to administrative functions through firewall rules that limit connections to trusted IP addresses only. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded network devices, emphasizing that even seemingly minor flaws in authentication mechanisms can lead to complete system compromise. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of network infrastructure should be implemented to identify similar weaknesses in other network devices that may be vulnerable to similar SQL injection attacks.