CVE-2021-1197 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1197 affects Cisco Small Business routers including models RV110W, RV130, RV130W, and RV215W, representing a critical security flaw in the web-based management interface of these network devices. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the router's web interface, creating a pathway for authenticated remote attackers to compromise the affected systems. The flaw exists in the handling of user-supplied data through HTTP requests, which allows malicious actors to manipulate the device's operating system through crafted payloads. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness in software design that enables various attack vectors including code execution and system instability.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2021-1197 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 craft specific HTTP requests that bypass input validation checks, ultimately enabling execution of arbitrary code with root privileges on the underlying operating system. This privilege escalation capability represents a severe threat vector as it allows full control over the router's functionality, including access to network traffic, configuration changes, and potential lateral movement within the network. The attack could also trigger unexpected device reboots, creating denial of service conditions that disrupt network operations and potentially providing cover for more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate system compromise to encompass broader network security implications. Network administrators face significant risk when these devices are compromised, as they serve as critical points of network control and access. The vulnerability affects devices that are commonly deployed in small business environments where network security may be less robust, making these systems particularly attractive targets for attackers. The lack of available software updates from Cisco creates a persistent risk for organizations that cannot immediately remediate the vulnerability, forcing them to implement alternative security controls or network segmentation measures to mitigate exposure.
Organizations affected by CVE-2021-1197 should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate affected routers from critical network segments, enforcing strict access controls for administrative interfaces, and monitoring for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of management interfaces. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and remote code execution, with potential for lateral movement once the initial compromise is achieved. Network defenders should consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for crafted HTTP requests that attempt to exploit this specific vulnerability pattern, as well as establishing robust credential management practices to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized administrative access. The absence of official patches from Cisco emphasizes the importance of proactive threat hunting and defensive measures when dealing with unpatched vulnerabilities in critical network infrastructure components.