CVE-2023-20141 in Small Business RV016
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2023
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 Routers could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks against a user of the interface. These vulnerabilities are due to insufficient input validation by the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending crafted HTTP requests to an affected device and then persuading a user to visit specific web pages that include malicious payloads. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the affected interface or access sensitive, browser-based information. Cisco has not released software updates that address these vulnerabilities.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20141 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple Cisco Small Business router models including RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 series. This vulnerability resides within the web-based management interface of these network devices, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by unauthenticated remote adversaries. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the device's web interface, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing or rendering it in the browser context. This weakness directly maps to CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where insufficient validation of input data allows malicious scripts to be injected and executed within the user's browser session. The attack vector requires minimal privileges as the vulnerability is accessible to unauthenticated users, making it particularly dangerous in environments where these routers are exposed to untrusted networks or public internet access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution capabilities, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities within the compromised browser session. An attacker could craft malicious HTTP requests that, when visited by a legitimate user of the router's management interface, would execute arbitrary code in the context of the affected web application. This could potentially lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or the modification of router configuration settings. The vulnerability's exploitation requires social engineering components where attackers must convince users to visit specific malicious web pages containing the crafted payloads, but once triggered, the attack operates entirely within the browser context of the authenticated user. This approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which describes credential harvesting through spearphishing with a link, where the malicious link is designed to exploit web application vulnerabilities rather than traditional phishing mechanisms. The absence of official software updates from Cisco for this vulnerability creates a particularly concerning scenario for network administrators who must rely on alternative mitigation strategies.
Organizations utilizing affected Cisco router models face significant operational risks due to the persistent nature of this vulnerability without vendor-provided patches. The web-based management interfaces of these devices typically provide administrative access to critical network configuration settings, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized control over network infrastructure. The lack of vendor software updates means that network security teams must implement alternative protective measures including network segmentation, firewall rules to restrict access to management interfaces, and regular monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls specifically designed to detect and block XSS attack patterns, as well as establishing robust network access controls that limit who can reach the affected management interfaces. The vulnerability's classification as a persistent security weakness highlights the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include network monitoring, regular vulnerability assessments, and maintaining awareness of vendor security advisories. Organizations should also consider migrating affected devices to newer models that have received security updates or implementing additional authentication layers to protect the web management interfaces from unauthorized access attempts.