CVE-2020-3278 in RV016
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV320 and RV325 Series Routers and Cisco Small Business RV016, RV042, and RV082 Routers could allow an authenticated, remote attacker with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary commands on an affected device. The vulnerabilities exist because the web-based management interface does not properly validate user-supplied input to scripts. An attacker with administrative privileges that are sufficient to log in to the web-based management interface could exploit each vulnerability by sending malicious requests to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on the underlying operating system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-3278 affects Cisco Small Business routers including the RV320 and RV325 series as well as the RV016 RV042 and RV082 models. These devices are commonly deployed in small business environments where they serve as network gateways and provide essential connectivity services. The affected systems operate with web-based management interfaces that are accessible remotely, making them attractive targets for cyber adversaries who seek to gain unauthorized control over network infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the web interface components that process user-supplied data.
This security flaw represents a critical command execution vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to inject and execute arbitrary code on the affected devices. The root cause lies in the improper validation of user-supplied input to scripts within the web-based management interface. When legitimate administrative users access the device through the web interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the data submitted through various input fields and parameters. This validation failure creates a pathway for malicious input to be processed without adequate security checks, enabling attackers to manipulate the underlying operating system directly.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially devastating for affected organizations. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute commands with root privileges on the underlying operating system, effectively gaining complete control over the router. This level of access enables adversaries to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, establish backdoors, and potentially use the compromised device as a launching point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the network infrastructure, potentially disrupting business operations and creating significant security risks for the entire organization.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation is to apply the latest security patches provided by Cisco through their official security advisories. Network administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of a successful exploitation, ensuring that compromised routers cannot be used to pivot to other network segments. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict access controls and regularly review administrative access logs to detect any suspicious activities. Implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous traffic patterns or command execution attempts can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories related to command injection and code execution, and represents a technique that could be categorized under ATT&CK tactics such as privilege escalation and command and control.