CVE-2021-1192 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-2021-1192 vulnerability affects Cisco Small Business routers including RV110W, RV130, RV130W, and RV215W models, presenting a critical security risk through their web-based management interfaces. These devices operate with embedded operating systems that are particularly susceptible to input validation flaws, which can be exploited by authenticated attackers to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input within the web management interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the device's underlying operating system through crafted HTTP requests.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software security architectures. The flaw exists in the authentication and authorization mechanisms of these routers, where valid administrator credentials are required to exploit the vulnerability but once obtained, provide attackers with the ability to execute code with root privileges. The attack vector involves sending specifically crafted HTTP requests to the device's web interface, bypassing normal security controls through improper handling of user input parameters. This type of vulnerability represents a classic privilege escalation scenario where legitimate administrative access becomes a gateway for more severe compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-1192 extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service conditions through device reloads, which can disrupt network connectivity for organizations relying on these small business routers. Organizations utilizing these devices face significant risk as the vulnerability allows attackers to gain complete control over network infrastructure, potentially enabling them to modify routing tables, intercept network traffic, or establish persistent access points within the network. The lack of available software updates from Cisco for these specific models leaves affected organizations with limited remediation options, forcing them to implement network segmentation, credential hardening, or alternative security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-1192 should focus on network segmentation to isolate these vulnerable devices from critical network segments, implementing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual administrative activities. Organizations should consider disabling the web management interface when not actively required, utilizing SSH or other secure remote access methods instead. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious HTTP request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and following vendor security advisories, as the absence of patches for these older router models leaves organizations exposed to persistent threats. This vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive network security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in other network infrastructure components, particularly those with web-based management interfaces that may be similarly vulnerable to input validation attacks.