CVE-2016-1470 in Small Business 220
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the web-based management interface on Cisco Small Business 220 devices with firmware before 1.0.1.1 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of arbitrary users, aka Bug ID CSCuz76230.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2022
The CVE-2016-1470 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw discovered in Cisco Small Business 220 series switches. This vulnerability specifically affects devices running firmware versions prior to 1.0.1.1 and resides within the web-based management interface of these networking devices. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit the authentication mechanism by tricking authenticated users into executing unintended actions without their knowledge or consent. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-352 category, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities in software applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets network infrastructure devices that are often deployed in business environments where they require administrative access and control over network operations.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF token validation within the web interface of the affected Cisco devices. When a user accesses the management interface, the system should validate that requests originate from legitimate sources and contain appropriate tokens to prevent unauthorized operations. However, in vulnerable versions of the firmware, this validation mechanism fails to properly authenticate the source of requests, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that appear to come from authenticated users. The attack vector typically involves tricking a logged-in administrator into visiting a malicious website or clicking on a crafted link that automatically submits requests to the vulnerable switch. This weakness enables attackers to perform administrative actions such as changing network configurations, modifying user accounts, or accessing sensitive system information without possessing valid credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1470 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete network compromise and unauthorized control of critical infrastructure. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially disrupt network services, modify routing configurations, disable security features, or establish persistent access points within the network. The vulnerability particularly affects small business environments where network administrators may not be fully aware of the security implications of unpatched network equipment. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials and the use of compromised accounts for unauthorized access. The impact is amplified because these devices often serve as core network infrastructure components, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for business continuity and network security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1470 primarily focus on firmware updates and network segmentation measures. Cisco has released firmware version 1.0.1.1 and subsequent updates that address this vulnerability by implementing proper CSRF token validation mechanisms. Organizations should immediately upgrade their affected Cisco Small Business 220 devices to the latest firmware versions available from Cisco's official support channels. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as restricting administrative access to specific IP ranges, implementing network segmentation, and monitoring for unusual administrative activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and applying security patches promptly, as outlined in industry best practices such as those recommended by NIST SP 800-40 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards. Regular vulnerability assessments and network monitoring should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues across the entire network infrastructure.