CVE-2018-0423 in RV110W
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of the Cisco RV110W Wireless-N VPN Firewall, Cisco RV130W Wireless-N Multifunction VPN Router, and Cisco RV215W Wireless-N VPN Router could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service condition or to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability is due to improper boundary restrictions on user-supplied input in the Guest user feature of the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious requests to a targeted device, triggering a buffer overflow condition. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause the device to stop responding, resulting in a denial of service condition, or could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0423 affects Cisco's line of wireless networking equipment including the RV110W, RV130W, and RV215W routers, which are designed for small office and home use environments. These devices feature web-based management interfaces that provide administrative access to router configuration settings, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise network infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically resides within the guest user feature of the web interface, which is intended to provide limited access to network resources for temporary users while maintaining security boundaries. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the device's input validation mechanisms, particularly when handling user-supplied data through the web management portal.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper boundary restrictions on user-supplied input within the guest user functionality of the web interface. When legitimate users attempt to access guest user features, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters, creating an opportunity for buffer overflow conditions to occur. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious HTTP requests that contain oversized or malformed data payloads specifically designed to exceed the allocated buffer space. The vulnerability manifests as a classic buffer overflow attack where the system's memory management fails to properly handle input data that exceeds expected boundaries, leading to unpredictable behavior in the device's operation. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-121 category of buffer overflow conditions, which are among the most common and dangerous software vulnerabilities in network infrastructure devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass potential code execution capabilities that could fundamentally compromise network security. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can cause the affected router to become unresponsive and crash, effectively creating a denial of service condition that disrupts network connectivity for all users. However, the more severe implication involves the potential for arbitrary code execution, which would allow attackers to gain unauthorized control over the device's operating system and potentially the entire network infrastructure. This capability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and persistence tactics, as compromised routers can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access or local network credentials to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on these devices for network security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0423 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Cisco, specifically addressing the firmware updates released to resolve the input validation issues in the web interface's guest user feature. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, particularly by ensuring that web management interfaces are not directly accessible from the internet. Network administrators should consider disabling guest user features entirely if they are not required for business operations, as this removes the attack surface associated with the vulnerable functionality. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems and monitoring for suspicious HTTP request patterns can help identify exploitation attempts before they succeed. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and boundary checking in network device software, reinforcing industry best practices established by standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for embedded systems and network infrastructure devices.