CVE-2021-1206 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 • 02/14/2021
The CVE-2021-1206 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 as network gateways and security appliances in small business environments, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access to corporate networks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the web interface, creating pathways for malicious actors to manipulate the system through carefully crafted HTTP requests. This flaw represents a classic example of improper input validation that allows attackers to bypass normal security controls and execute unauthorized operations on the underlying operating system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker with valid administrator credentials, which significantly reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated exploits. However, this requirement does not diminish the severity of the impact, as successful exploitation grants full administrative privileges and root-level access to the device's operating system. Attackers can leverage this access to execute arbitrary code with the highest possible privileges, effectively taking complete control of the router and potentially using it as a pivot point for broader network infiltration. The ability to cause unexpected device restarts adds another dimension to the threat landscape, as it can be used to create persistent denial of service conditions that disrupt business operations.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software design. The attack vectors employed in CVE-2021-1206 map directly to techniques found in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting web application interfaces. The exploitation process demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation flaws can lead to complete system compromise, highlighting the importance of defense-in-depth strategies and the principle of least privilege in network security. Network administrators should understand that these routers, when compromised, can serve as persistent backdoors or amplification points for larger attacks against the broader network infrastructure.
The lack of official software updates from Cisco for this vulnerability creates a particularly concerning scenario for affected organizations, as they must rely on alternative mitigation strategies. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical systems, enforce strict access controls on the web management interfaces, and consider disabling unnecessary administrative functions. Regular security audits and network monitoring become essential to detect potential exploitation attempts, while incident response procedures should be updated to address the specific threat vectors associated with these router vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the risks associated with legacy network equipment that may no longer receive vendor support.