CVE-2018-0425 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 gain access to sensitive information. The vulnerability is due to improper access control to files within the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious requests to a targeted device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to gain access to sensitive configuration information, including user authentication credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0425 affects Cisco's line of wireless networking equipment including the RV110W, RV130W, and RV215W routers, which are designed for small office and home use. These devices feature web-based management interfaces that allow users to configure network settings and security policies. The flaw stems from inadequate access controls within the web interface, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and access sensitive system information. This represents a critical weakness in the device's security architecture that directly violates fundamental principles of network security and access control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate user permissions when accessing specific files within the web interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting and sending malicious HTTP requests directly to the device's management interface without requiring valid credentials or authentication. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of certain configuration files that contain user authentication credentials and other sensitive operational data. This flaw falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, which encompasses improper access control implementations that allow unauthorized access to resources. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no prior authentication and can be executed remotely over the network, making it highly accessible to threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise the entire network security posture of affected organizations. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they gain access to authentication credentials, which could enable them to escalate their privileges and gain full administrative control over the affected devices. The stolen credentials might also be used to access other systems within the network that share the same authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability directly maps to several tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly credential access and privilege escalation techniques. The exposure of configuration data could reveal network topology information, firewall rules, and other sensitive network parameters that would be valuable to attackers planning more sophisticated attacks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating firmware to versions that address this vulnerability, which Cisco released as part of their regular security updates. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to these management interfaces from untrusted networks. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting access to management interfaces to authorized personnel only through secure channels such as VPN connections. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to management interfaces, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar access control weaknesses in other network devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing robust access control mechanisms in all network management interfaces and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in authentication handling can lead to significant security breaches.