CVE-2019-1653 in RV320
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV320 and RV325 Dual Gigabit WAN VPN Routers could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to retrieve sensitive information. The vulnerability is due to improper access controls for URLs. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by connecting to an affected device via HTTP or HTTPS and requesting specific URLs. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to download the router configuration or detailed diagnostic information. Cisco has released firmware updates that address this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1653 affects Cisco Small Business RV320 and RV325 Dual Gigabit WAN VPN Routers, representing a critical security flaw in the web-based management interface that enables unauthenticated remote information disclosure. This weakness stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the router's web interface, specifically allowing unauthorized users to bypass normal authentication requirements and access sensitive operational data through direct URL manipulation. The vulnerability exists in the router's privilege escalation handling where certain administrative endpoints remain accessible without proper authentication, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the system remotely.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through HTTP or HTTPS connections to the affected routers, where attackers can craft specific URL requests to access configuration files and diagnostic information that should normally be restricted to authenticated administrators. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to navigate directly to administrative URLs that contain sensitive data including router configurations, user credentials, network settings, and detailed system diagnostics that could reveal network topology and operational details. This improper access control vulnerability directly maps to CWE-284, which describes inadequate access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized access to resources, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for credential access through remote access tools and network configuration data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed router configurations often contain sensitive details that could enable further attacks against the network infrastructure. Attackers could leverage the downloaded configuration files to identify network segments, firewall rules, VPN settings, and potentially discover administrative credentials or encryption keys that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or prior authentication to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for small business networks that may not have robust monitoring or network segmentation in place. The exposure of diagnostic information could also reveal system vulnerabilities, network topology details, and operational patterns that adversaries could use to plan more targeted attacks against the organization's infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the firmware updates provided by Cisco to remediate the access control flaw. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as network segmentation, firewall rules to restrict access to router management interfaces, and monitoring for suspicious HTTP requests to administrative endpoints. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration flaws can lead to significant security implications. Regular security assessments of network devices, including web-based management interfaces, should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors. Organizations should also implement network monitoring solutions capable of detecting unusual patterns of access to administrative interfaces and establish baseline network behavior to quickly identify potential exploitation attempts.