CVE-2022-20753 in RV340
Summary
by MITRE • 05/04/2022
A vulnerability in web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV340 and RV345 Routers could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious input to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute remote code on the affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to have valid Administrator credentials on the affected device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2022
This vulnerability resides within the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV340 and RV345 routers, representing a critical security flaw that enables authenticated remote code execution. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The affected devices are designed for small business environments where administrative access is often limited to authorized personnel, yet this weakness creates a significant attack surface that can be exploited by adversaries with valid administrative credentials. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes user input through the web interface, allowing malicious payloads to bypass normal validation checks and execute within the router's operational context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-defined pattern that aligns with common software security weaknesses documented in the CWE database under CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation." Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can craft malicious input sequences that, when submitted through the web management interface, trigger code execution on the target device. This type of vulnerability falls squarely within the ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," as the authenticated access requirement creates a specific exploitation pathway that can be used to escalate privileges or execute arbitrary commands. The router's web interface serves as the primary attack vector, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where network administrators frequently access device management through browser-based interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected router's operational functions. Once exploited, an attacker could modify network configurations, redirect traffic, establish backdoors, or use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. This represents a significant risk for small business environments where routers often serve as the primary gateway to corporate networks, potentially allowing attackers to gain access to internal systems that would otherwise be protected by network segmentation. The vulnerability's requirement for valid administrator credentials means that it can be exploited through credential compromise techniques such as credential theft, brute force attacks, or social engineering, making it particularly concerning in environments where security practices may be less robust.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected devices through Cisco's official security advisories and firmware updates. Organizations should implement strict access control measures including multi-factor authentication, regular credential rotation, and monitoring for unusual administrative activities. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if credentials are compromised. Security teams should also implement web application firewalls and input validation controls to detect and prevent malicious input attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs that can identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by threat actors. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with exploitation attempts and maintain detailed audit logs of administrative activities for forensic analysis purposes.