CVE-2020-3150 in RV110W
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV110W and RV215W Series Routers could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to download sensitive information from the device, which could include the device configuration. 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-based management interface of the router, but only after any valid user has opened a specific file on the device since the last reboot. A successful exploit would allow the attacker to view sensitive information, which should be restricted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-3150 affects Cisco Small Business RV110W and RV215W Series Routers, representing a critical security flaw in the web-based management interface that exposes sensitive device information to unauthenticated remote attackers. This vulnerability stems from improper authorization mechanisms within the HTTP request handling process, creating a significant security gap that undermines the device's access control measures. The flaw specifically manifests when an attacker accesses a particular URI on the web interface without authentication credentials, though the exploitation requires a specific prerequisite condition to be met.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a weakness in the router's authorization framework where certain HTTP endpoints fail to properly validate access permissions. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in authorization mechanisms, specifically categorized under CWE-285 which deals with improper authorization in software systems. The vulnerability operates through a timing-dependent exploitation pattern where the attacker must first wait for a valid user to interact with a specific file on the device since the last system reboot. This prerequisite creates a window of opportunity that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-3150 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the compromised configuration data could include administrative credentials, network settings, firewall rules, and other critical system parameters that would enable further attacks. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in implementing proper access controls, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1083 for File and Directory Discovery. The exposure of device configuration files could provide attackers with comprehensive insights into the network topology, potentially enabling them to map internal network structures and identify additional targets for exploitation.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a prime example of how seemingly minor authorization flaws can create significant security risks in network infrastructure devices. The attack vector combines elements of both information disclosure and privilege escalation, as the unauthorized access to configuration data could lead to more sophisticated attacks. Organizations running these affected router models should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation, firewall rules to restrict access to the management interface, and regular monitoring for suspicious access patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and authorization checking in web applications, as the flaw exists in the handling of HTTP requests within the device's web interface. Remediation efforts should focus on updating firmware to versions that address the authorization bypass, as well as implementing network-based controls to limit exposure of these management interfaces to trusted networks only, thereby reducing the attack surface and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive network infrastructure information.