CVE-2023-20118 in RV016
Summary
by MITRE • 04/13/2023
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business Routers RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 Routers could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of user input within incoming HTTP packets. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to the web-based management interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to gain root-level privileges and access unauthorized data. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to have valid administrative credentials on the affected device. Cisco has not and will not release software updates that address this vulnerability. However, administrators may disable the affected feature as described in the Workarounds ["#workarounds"] section.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2025
This vulnerability resides within the web-based management interface of several Cisco Small Business routers including the RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 models. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables authenticated remote code execution, fundamentally compromising the integrity and confidentiality of network infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data within HTTP request parameters, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the system's behavior through crafted requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software design. Attackers can exploit this flaw by constructing specially formatted HTTP requests that bypass normal authentication checks and input sanitization procedures. The vulnerability specifically targets the web interface's handling of user input, allowing an authenticated attacker with administrative credentials to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary commands with root-level access. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability that transforms legitimate administrative access into full system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to network security posture as it enables attackers to gain complete control over affected routers without requiring additional exploitation techniques. The attack vector requires only that an attacker already possess valid administrative credentials, which significantly reduces the attack surface complexity. Once exploited, the attacker can access unauthorized data, modify router configurations, redirect traffic, and potentially establish persistent access points within the network. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to encompass potential network-wide disruption and data exfiltration capabilities.
The vulnerability's exploitation process follows established patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques such as privilege escalation and command execution. The lack of official software updates from Cisco creates a particularly concerning scenario where organizations must rely on workaround solutions provided by the vendor. This approach leaves affected networks vulnerable for extended periods while administrators implement mitigation strategies. The recommended workaround involves disabling the affected web-based management interface feature, which effectively removes the attack surface but may impact legitimate administrative functions. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, access control lists, and monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts while awaiting more permanent remediation strategies.