CVE-2019-1899 in RV110W
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web interface of Cisco RV110W, RV130W, and RV215W Routers could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to acquire the list of devices that are connected to the guest network. The vulnerability is due to improper authorization of an HTTP request. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by accessing a specific URI on the web interface of the router.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1899 affects Cisco RV110W, RV130W, and RV215W wireless routers, representing a significant security flaw in the web interface authentication mechanisms. This issue stems from inadequate authorization controls that fail to properly validate access requests, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to bypass normal security measures. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the improper handling of HTTP requests within the router's web administration interface, where the system fails to enforce appropriate access controls for sensitive network information. The affected devices operate under a web-based management interface that should normally require authentication for access to network configuration details, yet this particular flaw allows attackers to circumvent these protections through targeted URI access patterns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP requests to specific Uniform Resource Identifiers within the router's web interface. Attackers can craft malicious requests that target internal endpoints designed to reveal guest network device lists, effectively bypassing the normal authentication requirements that should protect such information. This flaw falls under the CWE-285 category of Improper Authorization, where the system fails to properly verify that the requesting entity has the necessary permissions to access specific resources. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the router's access control implementation, as it allows unauthorized information disclosure without requiring any credentials or prior access to the network. The improper authorization mechanism essentially creates a backdoor that exposes sensitive network topology information to any remote attacker who can reach the router's web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable insights into the network infrastructure and connected devices. By obtaining the list of devices connected to the guest network, an attacker gains knowledge about network topology, device types, and potentially vulnerable endpoints that could serve as targets for further exploitation. This information can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as network reconnaissance, device fingerprinting, and targeted exploitation of specific device vulnerabilities. The exposure of guest network device lists may also reveal the presence of IoT devices, mobile devices, or other endpoints that might have weaker security configurations, creating additional attack vectors. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1046 Network Service Scanning, as it enables reconnaissance activities that would typically require network access or authentication. The vulnerability essentially provides an automated method for attackers to gather network intelligence without needing to perform active scanning or discovery operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms within the router's web interface. Network administrators should immediately apply the latest firmware updates from Cisco that address this specific authorization flaw, as the vendor has released patches to correct the improper HTTP request handling. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies that separate guest and administrative networks, ensuring that even if one network is compromised, the other remains protected. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary web management interfaces when not required, implementing strong access controls through firewall rules, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious HTTP request patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation, particularly in network infrastructure devices that are frequently exposed to external networks. Security monitoring should include detection of unauthorized access attempts to web management interfaces and unusual patterns of URI access that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar authorization flaws that could provide attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive network information.