CVE-2021-1322 in RV016
Summary
by MITRE • 02/05/2021
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 Routers could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause an affected device to restart unexpectedly. These 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1322 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple Cisco Small Business routers including the RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 models. This vulnerability exists within the web-based management interface of these devices and stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data. The flaw allows authenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with root privileges or induce unauthorized device reboots, creating significant operational risks for affected organizations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software design. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious HTTP requests that bypass the device's input sanitization controls. The improper validation occurs at the application layer where user inputs are not adequately filtered or escaped before being processed by the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter for execution, as attackers can leverage the authenticated access to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-1322 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over affected devices. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability enables remote code execution as the root user, providing attackers with unrestricted access to the device's operating system and all its functionalities. This includes the ability to modify network configurations, intercept traffic, establish persistence mechanisms, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. Additionally, the denial of service capability can result in significant network disruption and service interruption for organizations relying on these routing devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from network administrators to address the identified security gap. The most effective approach involves applying the latest security patches and firmware updates provided by Cisco to remediate the input validation flaws. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach the web-based management interfaces. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous HTTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing strong access controls including multi-factor authentication and regular credential rotation can reduce the risk of unauthorized access. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date network infrastructure and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical network assets from authenticated remote exploitation attempts.