CVE-2021-1293 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-2021-1293 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 of these devices, creating a pathway for unauthorized remote code execution. The flaw allows an unauthenticated attacker to exploit the device without requiring any credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it eliminates the need for initial access privileges. The affected devices are commonly deployed in small business environments where they serve as primary network gateways, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking to establish persistent access to corporate networks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and specifically relates to CWE-77 and CWE-78 that address command injection and code execution flaws. The root cause lies in the web interface's failure to properly sanitize and validate incoming HTTP requests, allowing malicious input to bypass security controls. When an attacker crafts and sends a specially designed HTTP request to the management interface, the device processes this input without adequate validation, leading to arbitrary code execution with root privileges. This privilege escalation occurs because the web interface runs with elevated permissions and does not implement proper request filtering mechanisms to prevent malicious payload execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to gain complete control over the affected devices. Once exploited, an attacker can establish persistent access, modify network configurations, redirect traffic, or use the compromised router as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers can target these devices from anywhere on the internet, without requiring physical access or network proximity. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for small businesses that may not have robust network monitoring or intrusion detection systems in place to detect such attacks. The affected devices typically serve as network gateways, making them critical infrastructure components where compromise can lead to significant business disruption and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-1293 should prioritize immediate patching of affected devices through official Cisco security updates. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical business systems, restrict access to the management interface through firewall rules, and ensure that only authorized personnel can access these devices. Network administrators should consider disabling the web-based management interface entirely if it is not required, and implement additional monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, indicating the need for comprehensive defensive measures that address both initial access and privilege escalation vectors. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any other potentially vulnerable devices within the network infrastructure, ensuring that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other network components.