CVE-2021-1341 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-2021-1341 represents a critical security flaw affecting several Cisco Small Business routers including the RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 models. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web-based management interface of these network devices, creating a pathway for authenticated remote attackers to compromise the affected systems. The flaw specifically resides in how the devices process user-supplied data through HTTP requests, failing to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-20 category, which encompasses "Improper Input Validation" - a fundamental weakness that allows attackers to manipulate system behavior through malformed input. The attack vector requires an authenticated session, meaning that an adversary must first obtain valid administrator credentials to the device before attempting exploitation.
The technical implications of this vulnerability are severe as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the underlying operating system of the affected routers. This privilege escalation allows for complete control over the network device, enabling attackers to modify configurations, install malicious software, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The potential for a denial of service condition exists through the ability to cause unexpected device reboots, which could disrupt network connectivity and availability. The exploitation process involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable web interface, leveraging the insufficient input validation to inject malicious commands that are then executed by the router's operating system. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1068 for 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', demonstrating how improper input handling can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-1341 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as these routers typically serve as critical network gateways and firewalls for small business environments. When compromised, these devices can become entry points for broader network infiltration, allowing attackers to pivot to internal systems or establish command and control channels. The requirement for valid administrator credentials means that this vulnerability could be exploited through credential theft, social engineering, or brute force attacks, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is not properly secured. Organizations using these affected routers face significant risk of unauthorized network access, data exfiltration, and potential disruption of business operations. The vulnerability also poses challenges for network monitoring and security auditing, as compromised devices may appear to function normally while silently executing malicious activities. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface assessment, particularly in environments where network device management interfaces are exposed to untrusted networks or where administrative credentials are not adequately protected through multi-factor authentication mechanisms.