CVE-2018-0405 in RV180W
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web framework code for Cisco RV180W Wireless-N Multifunction VPN Router and Small Business RV Series RV220W Wireless Network Security Firewall could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a directory path traversal attack on a targeted device. The issue is due to improper sanitization of user-supplied input in HTTP request parameters that describe filenames. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by using directory traversal techniques to submit a path to a desired file location.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0405 affects Cisco RV180W Wireless-N Multifunction VPN Router and the Small Business RV Series RV220W Wireless Network Security Firewall devices. This represents a critical security flaw that resides within the web framework code of these network appliances, which are commonly deployed in small business environments to provide network security and connectivity services. The affected devices operate with web-based management interfaces that are accessible over the network, making them susceptible to remote exploitation by attackers who may not require physical access or authentication credentials.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the HTTP request handling mechanisms of the affected Cisco devices. Specifically, the web framework fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input that is used in HTTP request parameters to describe filenames. This improper sanitization creates a path traversal vulnerability where malicious actors can manipulate request parameters to access files and directories beyond the intended scope of the web application. The vulnerability is classified as a directory traversal attack, which allows an attacker to navigate through the file system hierarchy and potentially access sensitive files, configuration data, or system resources that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables unauthenticated remote code execution capabilities for attackers who can exploit the directory traversal flaw. An attacker with network access to the targeted device can leverage this vulnerability to access system files, configuration information, and potentially gain deeper system insights that could facilitate further attacks. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication credentials, making it accessible to anyone who can reach the device over the network. This vulnerability could lead to complete compromise of the affected router, potentially allowing attackers to modify network configurations, intercept traffic, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to severe security consequences. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and script interpreter usage and T1083 for file and directory discovery, as attackers would likely attempt to explore the file system and identify valuable targets after initial exploitation. Network security professionals should note that this vulnerability affects devices that are commonly found in small business environments where network security may not be as rigorously managed as in enterprise settings, making these devices particularly attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking to establish persistent access points within networks.
Cisco has released security advisories and patches to address this vulnerability, and network administrators should prioritize updating their affected devices to mitigate the risk. The recommended mitigation strategies include applying the latest firmware updates from Cisco, implementing network segmentation to limit access to these devices, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and firewall rules that restrict direct access to management interfaces from untrusted networks, as this additional layer of defense can help prevent exploitation even if the vulnerability is not immediately patched.