CVE-2018-0426 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 validation of directory traversal character sequences within the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious requests to the targeted device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to gain access to arbitrary files on the affected device, resulting in the disclosure of sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0426 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 administrators to configure network settings and monitor device status. The flaw resides in how these interfaces handle directory traversal sequences, specifically the lack of proper input validation for malicious path manipulation attempts. This vulnerability represents a critical security gap that could be exploited by threat actors without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who may not be aware of its existence.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input within the web management interface of affected Cisco devices. When an attacker crafts malicious HTTP requests containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, the system fails to properly validate these inputs before processing them. This improper validation allows the attacker to bypass normal file access controls and navigate to arbitrary directories on the device's file system. The vulnerability specifically affects the web server component of these routers, which handles requests for configuration files, log data, and other sensitive information stored on the device. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to perform unauthorized file access operations that should be restricted to authorized administrative users only.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to potentially sensitive data stored on the affected devices. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could access configuration files that contain network settings, user credentials, and other administrative information. Additionally, the ability to read arbitrary files may enable further exploitation techniques, including potential access to system logs, firmware components, or other data that could aid in more sophisticated attacks. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from outside the network perimeter, eliminating the need for physical access or network compromise. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and makes these devices particularly vulnerable to automated scanning and exploitation campaigns.
Organizations using affected Cisco devices should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability. The most effective approach involves applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco, which typically include input validation fixes and enhanced sanitization of user inputs. Network segmentation strategies should be employed to limit access to these management interfaces, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach the web-based administration portals. Additionally, implementing network access controls such as firewalls and access control lists can help restrict access to management ports and services. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and falls under ATT&CK technique T1213 Data from Information Repositories, making it relevant to both security frameworks and incident response procedures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs in web applications and highlights the need for proper access controls even in consumer-grade networking equipment.