CVE-2021-1290 in RV160
Summary
by MITRE • 02/05/2021
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV160, RV160W, RV260, RV260P, and RV260W VPN Routers could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code as the root user on an affected device. These vulnerabilities exist because HTTP requests are not properly validated. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending a crafted HTTP request to the web-based management interface of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code on the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1290 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Small Business VPN routers including models RV160, RV160W, RV260, RV260P, and RV260W. This weakness resides within the web-based management interface of these devices, creating a pathway for unauthenticated remote attackers to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code with root-level access. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of HTTP requests, which allows malicious actors to craft specific requests that bypass normal authentication mechanisms and authorization checks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and specifically relates to CWE-79, input validation and XSS, as well as CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code. The vulnerability operates through a classic command injection attack vector where crafted HTTP requests can be manipulated to execute system commands directly on the router's operating system. This represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability that transforms a simple web interface access into full system compromise, as the attacker can leverage the web interface to gain root-level control over the device's underlying operating system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on these Cisco routers for network security and connectivity. The remote code execution capability allows attackers to completely take control of the affected devices, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, install malware, or use the compromised devices as launch points for further attacks within the network. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that no prior credentials are required, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit the vulnerability without detection. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.001 for command and script interpreter, T1021.001 for remote services, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
The exploitation of CVE-2021-1290 requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through automated tools, making it attractive to both skilled and less sophisticated attackers. Organizations with these affected devices face potential data breaches, network disruption, and compliance violations, particularly in regulated environments where network security is paramount. The vulnerability affects devices that are commonly deployed in small business environments, where network security may be less robust than in enterprise settings, further amplifying the potential impact.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate firmware updates from Cisco, which address the underlying input validation issues and properly sanitize HTTP requests. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the web-based management interfaces from untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling web management interfaces when possible and rely on more secure management protocols such as SSH and HTTPS with strong authentication. Regular vulnerability scanning and network monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify suspicious HTTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date network device firmware and implementing proper network access controls to prevent unauthorized access to management interfaces.