CVE-2021-1332 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-2021-1332 represents a critical security flaw affecting Cisco Small Business routers including models RV016 RV042 RV042G RV082 RV320 and RV325. This issue resides within the web-based management interface of these network devices, creating a pathway for authenticated remote attackers to gain elevated privileges and execute malicious code. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing within the device's operating system. The affected devices operate on embedded systems where web interfaces serve as the primary means of configuration and management, making them attractive targets for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of input validation failure that aligns with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially formatted HTTP requests that bypass normal authentication checks and input sanitization procedures. The exploitation process requires an attacker to possess valid administrator credentials, which means the vulnerability cannot be exploited through anonymous access but rather through credential compromise or privilege escalation within the network environment. Once authenticated, the malicious HTTP requests can manipulate the device's underlying operating system to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, effectively compromising the entire network device.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-1332 extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service conditions that can disrupt network operations. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to cause unexpected device restarts which can lead to complete network outages depending on the criticality of the affected router in the network topology. This dual nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can either maintain persistent access through code execution or disrupt services through denial of service attacks, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise networks that rely on these devices for routing and network management functions. The attack surface is further expanded due to the widespread deployment of these Cisco models in small business environments where network security monitoring may be limited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-1332 should focus on multiple defensive layers including immediate firmware updates from Cisco to address the root cause of the input validation issues. Network administrators should also implement strict access controls and monitor web-based management interface access for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's requirement for valid administrator credentials means that credential management practices become critical, including regular password changes and implementation of multi-factor authentication where possible. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of a successful exploitation and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious HTTP request patterns targeting web interfaces. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1499 - Endpoint Denial of Service, highlighting the execution and disruption aspects of the threat. Given the embedded nature of these devices and their typical deployment in non-secure environments, comprehensive network monitoring and regular security assessments become essential for maintaining operational security.