CVE-2021-1331 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 CVE-2021-1331 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple Cisco Small Business routers including the RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 models. This vulnerability resides within the web-based management interface of these network devices, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by authenticated remote attackers. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data, creating opportunities for malicious input to be processed without proper security checks. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-20, which specifically addresses "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness in software security design. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate the application's normal execution flow through malformed input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess valid administrator credentials, establishing a privileged access requirement that reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk. Once authenticated, an attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests that target the vulnerable input validation points within the web interface. The exploitation mechanism leverages the improper handling of user input to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the underlying operating system, effectively compromising the entire device. This privilege escalation capability allows attackers to gain complete control over the router's functionality, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, intercept traffic, or establish persistent access points. The attack vector operates entirely through the web interface, making it accessible to attackers who can reach the device's management network without requiring physical access or specialized equipment.
The operational impact of successful exploitation encompasses both remote code execution and denial of service conditions, creating multiple attack scenarios for threat actors. When exploited for code execution, the vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that can persist across device reboots, potentially enabling long-term network infiltration. The ability to execute arbitrary code as root user provides attackers with complete system control, including access to network credentials, configuration files, and network traffic monitoring capabilities. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited to cause unexpected device restarts, leading to denial of service conditions that can disrupt network operations and potentially cause cascading failures in network infrastructure. This dual nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as attackers can choose between gaining persistent access or disrupting services based on their objectives.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to the web-based management interface through network segmentation, implementing strong authentication controls, and applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco. The vulnerability's reliance on authenticated access means that proper credential management and access control policies become critical defensive measures. Network administrators should consider disabling the web interface entirely when not required and instead utilize secure command-line interfaces or dedicated management protocols. The implementation of network access control lists and firewall rules can limit access to the affected devices to only trusted administrative networks. Furthermore, continuous monitoring of network traffic for suspicious HTTP requests and unusual device behavior can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also maintain comprehensive network documentation and regularly audit device configurations to ensure that security controls remain effective against evolving threats. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the necessity of applying security patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities.