CVE-2021-1185 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 Cisco Small Business routers RV110W, RV130, RV130W, and RV215W present a critical security risk through multiple vulnerabilities in their web-based management interfaces that could be exploited by authenticated remote attackers. These devices operate as network gateways and security appliances in small business environments, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking to compromise network infrastructure. The vulnerabilities stem from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface components, creating pathways for malicious exploitation that could result in complete system compromise or denial of service conditions. The affected devices are particularly concerning because they serve as primary network access points for small organizations, often handling sensitive business data and providing internet connectivity to multiple users.
The technical flaw manifests through improper validation of user-supplied input within the web-based management interface components of these routers. When administrators access the device through HTTP requests, the system fails to adequately sanitize or validate the data received from the web interface, creating opportunities for injection attacks. This vulnerability class aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software security design. Attackers can craft malicious HTTP requests that exploit this validation gap, potentially executing arbitrary code with root privileges on the underlying operating system. The exploitation requires valid administrator credentials, which makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access has been compromised or where default credentials remain unchanged. The attack vector specifically targets the web management interface, which is typically accessible over the network, making remote exploitation feasible for attackers who have already gained administrative access.
The operational impact of these vulnerabilities extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code as the root user, effectively providing them with full administrative control over the affected devices. This level of access enables attackers to modify router configurations, redirect network traffic, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The potential for device reload or unexpected restarts creates additional disruption possibilities, as these routers serve critical network functions and unexpected reboots could interrupt business operations. Organizations relying on these devices for network security face significant risks, as compromised routers can become entry points for broader network attacks or be used to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks against internal network traffic.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address these vulnerabilities effectively. The most critical immediate action involves ensuring that all administrative accounts have strong, unique passwords and that default credentials are changed immediately. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to these devices to authorized personnel only, reducing the attack surface. Organizations should also consider disabling the web management interface when possible and using SSH or other secure protocols for administrative access. Regular security audits should verify that no unauthorized changes have occurred to device configurations, and network monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence, requiring comprehensive monitoring of administrative activities and system changes to detect potential compromise. The lack of official software updates from Cisco for these specific devices means organizations must rely on network segmentation and access controls as primary defensive measures until vendor patches become available.