CVE-2021-1292 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-2021-1292 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Small Business VPN routers including models RV160, RV160W, RV260, RV260P, and RV260W. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of HTTP requests within the web-based management interface, creating a pathway for unauthenticated remote code execution. The flaw exists at the application layer where the router's web interface fails to properly sanitize and validate incoming HTTP requests, allowing malicious input to be processed without adequate security checks. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-20, which specifically addresses "Improper Input Validation," and falls within the broader category of insecure web application design patterns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft and send malicious HTTP requests to the affected device's web management interface. Since no authentication is required to initiate these requests, the attack surface is significantly expanded, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for network administrators who may have exposed these management interfaces to external networks. The successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution with root privileges, effectively granting attackers complete control over the affected device. This privilege escalation occurs because the vulnerable web interface processes user-supplied input without proper sanitization, allowing malicious payloads to be executed within the router's operating system context. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210, "Exploitation of Remote Services," specifically targeting web-based management interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-1292 extends beyond simple device compromise, as these routers are commonly deployed in small business environments where they serve as critical network infrastructure components. Once compromised, attackers can establish persistent backdoors, redirect network traffic, steal sensitive data, or use the device as a launching point for attacks against internal network resources. The vulnerability affects devices that typically operate in environments with minimal network segmentation, making them prime targets for lateral movement within corporate networks. Organizations using these routers may experience complete network compromise, data exfiltration, and potential regulatory compliance violations, particularly in industries subject to strict security standards such as healthcare, finance, or government sectors.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including network segmentation to isolate these devices from untrusted networks, disabling unnecessary web management interfaces, and applying the latest firmware updates provided by Cisco. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns and conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure. The remediation process should prioritize patching affected devices as soon as Cisco releases security updates, while also reviewing network access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can access these management interfaces. Additionally, organizations should establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain detailed network logs to support forensic analysis if compromise occurs. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure web application development practices and proper input validation in network infrastructure devices, as highlighted by industry best practices in cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards.