CVE-2021-1163 in Small Business
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2021
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV110W, RV130, RV130W, and RV215W Routers could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause an affected device to restart unexpectedly. The vulnerabilities are due to improper validation of user-supplied input in the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending crafted HTTP requests to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code as the root user on the underlying operating system or cause the device to reload, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. To exploit these vulnerabilities, an attacker would need to have valid administrator credentials on the affected device. Cisco has not released software updates that address these vulnerabilities.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2021
The CVE-2021-1163 vulnerability affects Cisco Small Business routers including RV110W, RV130, RV130W, and RV215W models, representing a critical security flaw in their web-based management interfaces. These devices operate as network infrastructure components that require administrative access for configuration and management, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent control over network environments. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the web interface, creating pathways for malicious actors to manipulate the device's underlying operating system through carefully crafted HTTP requests. This flaw directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation as a fundamental weakness that can lead to various injection attacks and privilege escalation scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess valid administrator credentials, establishing a baseline authentication requirement that limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk. Once authenticated, the attacker can submit malicious HTTP requests that bypass normal input sanitization processes, allowing arbitrary code execution with root privileges on the device's operating system. This privilege escalation capability enables attackers to gain complete control over the router's functionality, potentially allowing them to modify network configurations, intercept traffic, establish backdoors, or disable security features. The exploitation can also trigger unexpected device reboots, creating denial of service conditions that disrupt network operations and may be used as part of broader attack campaigns targeting network availability.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-1163 extends beyond immediate system compromise to encompass broader network security implications. Organizations relying on these routers face potential data exfiltration risks, as compromised devices can serve as entry points for lateral movement within corporate networks. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple router models suggests a systemic design flaw that affects numerous deployments, making it particularly concerning for small business environments where network security may be less sophisticated. Network administrators must consider that successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify routing tables, redirect traffic through malicious servers, or disable security monitoring capabilities, fundamentally compromising network integrity and confidentiality. The lack of available software updates for this vulnerability creates an extended window of exposure, forcing organizations to implement alternative mitigation strategies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-1163 should focus on network segmentation and access control measures to limit the impact of potential compromises. Organizations should implement strict network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns or unauthorized configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should consider disabling unnecessary web management interfaces and restricting access to administrative functions through secure remote access solutions. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and command execution, suggesting that defensive measures should include endpoint detection and response capabilities. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive network assessments to identify all affected devices and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing router compromise scenarios. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be implemented to proactively identify similar input validation weaknesses in other network infrastructure components.