CVE-2016-1398 in RV110W
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the web-based management interface on Cisco RV110W devices with firmware through 1.2.1.4, RV130W devices with firmware through 1.0.2.7, and RV215W devices with firmware through 1.3.0.7 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (device reload) via a crafted HTTP request, aka Bug ID CSCux86669.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1398 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting Cisco small business wireless routers including the RV110W, RV130W, and RV215W device models. This security weakness resides within the web-based management interface of these networking devices, specifically manifesting when processing HTTP requests from authenticated users. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle oversized data payloads, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the device's memory handling capabilities. The affected firmware versions demonstrate a consistent pattern of insufficient bounds checking that allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations through carefully crafted HTTP requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated attacker submits a malformed HTTP request containing excessive data to the device's web interface. The buffer overflow condition manifests as the device's memory management system fails to properly validate the size of incoming request data, leading to memory corruption that ultimately forces the device to crash and restart. This particular implementation flaw falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where the device's web server component does not adequately enforce buffer size limitations during HTTP request processing. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that an attacker with valid credentials can trigger a denial of service condition that effectively renders the network device inoperable.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1398 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader network reliability concerns for organizations relying on these devices. When exploited, the vulnerability causes automatic device reloads that can interrupt network connectivity for users and administrators, potentially leading to extended downtime during critical business operations. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed remotely by authenticated users, meaning that compromised credentials from other attack vectors could be leveraged to create persistent service disruption. Network administrators face challenges in detecting these attacks since they appear as legitimate device restarts, and the vulnerability affects multiple device models within the Cisco RV series, amplifying the potential scope of impact across various network deployments.
Organizations should prioritize immediate firmware updates to address this vulnerability, as Cisco has released patches specifically targeting the buffer overflow conditions in affected device models. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive network monitoring to detect unusual device restart patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, alongside robust credential management practices to prevent unauthorized access to device management interfaces. Security teams should also implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and maintain detailed logs of device management activities for forensic analysis. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of applying security patches promptly, as the flaw exists in firmware versions that were widely deployed in enterprise and small business environments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499 technique for network denial of service, where adversaries leverage device-specific weaknesses to create service interruptions, making it a critical consideration for organizations implementing security controls and incident response procedures.