CVE-2015-6396 in RV110W
Summary
by MITRE
The CLI command parser on Cisco RV110W, RV130W, and RV215W devices allows local users to execute arbitrary shell commands as an administrator via crafted parameters, aka Bug IDs CSCuv90134, CSCux58161, and CSCux73567.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6396 represents a critical command injection flaw within the command line interface parser of Cisco RV110W, RV130W, and RV215W wireless routers. This vulnerability exists in the device's web-based management interface where user-supplied parameters are not properly sanitized before being processed by the underlying shell. The flaw enables local attackers who have access to the device's administrative interface to craft malicious input parameters that bypass normal input validation mechanisms and execute arbitrary shell commands with administrative privileges. The vulnerability affects multiple models within Cisco's small business router line, specifically targeting the web management portal that administrators use to configure network settings and device parameters.
This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the CLI command processing component of these network devices. The vulnerability is classified as a command injection flaw under CWE-77, which occurs when a command containing user-supplied input is executed without proper sanitization or escaping of special characters. The affected devices process user inputs through a shell interpreter without sufficient filtering of potentially dangerous characters such as semicolons, pipes, or other shell metacharacters that could alter the intended command execution flow. Attackers can exploit this by submitting malicious parameters through the web interface that get directly passed to shell commands, effectively allowing them to execute arbitrary code on the device with root-level privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted for affected organizations. Local attackers who gain access to the administrative interface can escalate their privileges and execute commands that compromise the entire network device. This includes but is not limited to installing malware, modifying network configurations, creating backdoor accounts, or exfiltrating sensitive data from the device. The vulnerability essentially provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected routers, potentially enabling them to redirect network traffic, monitor communications, or use the compromised devices as entry points for broader network attacks. Given that these are wireless routers commonly deployed in small office environments, the attack surface extends beyond just the device itself to encompass the entire local network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6396 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Cisco to address the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces and establish strict access controls for router management portals. Network administrators should disable unnecessary services and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the device's administrative interface. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts can help identify exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls that address both the exploitation vector and the privilege escalation aspect of the attack. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control policies that restrict direct access to administrative interfaces from untrusted networks and maintain regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components.