CVE-2021-1297 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 conduct directory traversal attacks and overwrite certain files that should be restricted on an affected system. These vulnerabilities are due to insufficient input validation. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by using the web-based management interface to upload a file to location on an affected device that they should not have access to. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to overwrite files on the file system of the affected device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1297 affects Cisco Small Business VPN routers including models RV160, RV160W, RV260, RV260P, and RV260W. This issue resides within the web-based management interface of these devices, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthenticated remote attackers to exploit directory traversal mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation practices within the router's web interface, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate file system access controls and execute unauthorized operations.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient validation of user-supplied input in the file upload functionality of the web management interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that leverage directory traversal sequences to navigate beyond the intended file system boundaries. This vulnerability specifically allows attackers to upload files to restricted locations within the device's file system, bypassing normal access controls and permissions. The flaw operates at the application layer and directly impacts the device's file system integrity and security posture.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network security as it enables remote code execution capabilities through file overwrites. An attacker who successfully exploits these vulnerabilities can modify critical system files, potentially leading to complete device compromise, persistent backdoor access, or disruption of network services. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that no credentials are required to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for devices accessible from the internet. Network administrators face the challenge of securing devices that may be exposed to the public internet without proper authentication mechanisms.
The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potential network-wide security degradation, as compromised routers can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and CWE-73 Path Traversal, both of which address improper input validation leading to unauthorized file system access. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078 Valid Accounts, as attackers can leverage the compromised devices to maintain persistence and execute commands. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling web management interfaces when not required, applying firmware updates from Cisco, and restricting access to these interfaces through network segmentation and access control lists.