CVE-2019-1663 in RV110W Wireless-N VPN Firewall
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 execute arbitrary code on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to improper validation of user-supplied data in the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious HTTP requests to a targeted device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system of the affected device as a high-privilege user. RV110W Wireless-N VPN Firewall versions prior to 1.2.2.1 are affected. RV130W Wireless-N Multifunction VPN Router versions prior to 1.0.3.45 are affected. RV215W Wireless-N VPN Router versions prior to 1.3.1.1 are affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Cisco's small office and wireless networking equipment, specifically targeting the web-based management interfaces of the RV110W, RV130W, and RV215W device families. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system. The flaw is categorized under CWE-20, which identifies improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to manipulate system behavior through crafted inputs. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects devices that typically operate in unsecured network environments where physical access is limited, making remote exploitation a significant threat vector.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted HTTP requests that bypass authentication mechanisms and leverage the improper data validation to inject malicious payloads into the device's processing pipeline. Attackers can send malformed HTTP requests to the web management interface, which then get processed without adequate sanitization, allowing code execution at the privilege level of the system's high-privilege user. This creates a complete compromise of the affected device, enabling attackers to gain persistent access, modify network configurations, intercept traffic, or use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects multiple device models across different firmware versions, with specific versions prior to 1.2.2.1 for RV110W, 1.0.3.45 for RV130W, and 1.3.1.1 for RV215W being vulnerable. The attack surface is particularly wide as these devices are commonly deployed in small office environments where network security is often minimal and monitoring is limited.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations relying on these networking devices for their network infrastructure. Once compromised, attackers can establish persistent backdoors, modify routing tables, redirect traffic to malicious endpoints, or use the devices as launch points for attacks against other systems within the network. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can execute commands directly on the compromised device. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078, which addresses valid accounts and legitimate credentials, since the attack can be executed without requiring authentication. Organizations using these devices face potential data breaches, network disruption, and loss of network control, particularly in environments where these devices are not regularly updated or monitored for security patches. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target these devices from anywhere on the internet, making the attack surface extremely broad and difficult to defend against without proactive patching and network segmentation.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates to the latest versions that contain patches for this vulnerability, as Cisco has released remediation updates addressing the input validation issues. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the web management interfaces from untrusted networks, while also ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to these interfaces. Regular vulnerability scanning and network monitoring should be deployed to detect potential exploitation attempts, and device management should be centralized with proper access controls and audit logging. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all network infrastructure components, as these devices often operate in environments where patch management is neglected, creating persistent security gaps that attackers can exploit. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network access control measures that can detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts to these critical network infrastructure devices, particularly those that are exposed to the internet.