CVE-2023-20144 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-2023-20144 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple Cisco Small Business routers including the RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 models. 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 affected devices are commonly deployed in small business environments where they serve as primary network gateways, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking to compromise network infrastructure and gain unauthorized access to sensitive organizational data.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the web interface's processing logic. This weakness falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that occur when web applications fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic content. The vulnerability manifests when the web interface receives HTTP requests containing malicious payloads that are not adequately filtered or escaped before being rendered in the user's browser. This inadequate sanitization process creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute within the context of the authenticated user's session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution capabilities, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform session hijacking and credential theft operations. When exploited successfully, the XSS attacks could allow adversaries to steal session cookies, access sensitive browser-based information, and potentially escalate their privileges within the network management interface. The attack vector requires social engineering elements where attackers must persuade victims to visit specifically crafted web pages that contain the malicious payloads, but once executed, the consequences can be severe for network security posture and data integrity. Organizations relying on these router models face potential unauthorized access to their network configurations and management interfaces.
Cisco's decision not to release software updates for these vulnerabilities presents a particularly concerning scenario for affected organizations, as it leaves networks exposed to potential exploitation without official remediation paths. The lack of vendor patches means that organizations must rely on alternative mitigation strategies to protect their networks, including network segmentation, firewall rules, and monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering tactics, as the exploitation requires user interaction with malicious web content. Organizations should implement network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable interfaces. Given the widespread deployment of these router models in small business environments, the vulnerability represents a significant risk that requires immediate attention and proactive security measures to prevent potential compromise of network infrastructure and sensitive organizational data.