CVE-2021-1415 in RV340
Summary
by MITRE • 04/08/2021
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco RV340, RV340W, RV345, and RV345P Dual WAN Gigabit VPN Routers could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges equivalent to the web service process on an affected device. These vulnerabilities exist because HTTP requests are not properly validated. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending a crafted HTTP request to the web-based management interface of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code on the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1415 affects Cisco RV340, RV340W, RV345, and RV345P dual WAN gigabit VPN routers, representing a critical security flaw in the web-based management interface of these network devices. These routers are commonly deployed in small to medium-sized enterprises and remote office environments, serving as critical gateways for network connectivity and security. The affected devices operate with web services that handle HTTP requests for configuration and management purposes, making them susceptible to exploitation through crafted web traffic. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of HTTP requests, creating a pathway for authenticated remote attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code on the affected systems.
This security flaw constitutes a privilege escalation vulnerability that operates at the application layer, specifically within the web management interface of the router firmware. The improper validation of HTTP requests allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that can be processed by the web service running with elevated privileges. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that can be exploited for privilege escalation. The attack vector requires an authenticated session, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to access the web management interface before attempting exploitation. This authentication requirement does not mitigate the severity of the vulnerability, as the privilege escalation would allow an attacker to gain administrative control over the router.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on these routers for network security and connectivity. Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the web service process, potentially allowing full control of the router's configuration, network traffic interception, and modification of security policies. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access points, redirect network traffic, disable security features, or use the compromised router as a pivot point for attacking internal network resources. The compromised device could also serve as a staging area for further attacks on the network, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these routers often serve as the primary network gateway.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-1415 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Cisco, as the vendor has released patches addressing this vulnerability through their security advisory. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the web management interface, restrict access to authorized personnel only, and enforce strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication where possible. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts to the router management interfaces. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 for valid accounts and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, indicating that exploitation would likely involve legitimate authentication followed by code execution. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists to restrict access to management ports and services, and regularly audit router configurations to ensure no unauthorized modifications have occurred. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and implementing defense-in-depth strategies for network infrastructure devices.