CVE-2024-20393 in RV340
Summary
by MITRE • 10/02/2024
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV340, RV340W, RV345, and RV345P Dual WAN Gigabit VPN Routers could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to elevate privileges on an affected device.
This vulnerability exists because the web-based management interface discloses sensitive information. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP input to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow an attacker to elevate privileges from guest to admin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20393 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business dual WAN gigabit VPN routers including the RV340, RV340W, RV345, and RV345P models. This security weakness stems from improper handling of HTTP requests within the device's administrative web portal, creating an avenue for authenticated remote attackers to gain elevated system privileges. The flaw specifically allows an attacker with guest-level access to escalate their privileges to administrative level, fundamentally compromising the device's security posture. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, specifically focusing on inadequate privilege management within web applications. The affected devices operate within small business environments where network security is paramount, making this vulnerability particularly concerning as it undermines the integrity of the router's access control mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted HTTP input sent to the affected web interface. When an authenticated attacker submits specially constructed HTTP requests, the system fails to properly validate the privilege level of the incoming requests, allowing the attacker to bypass normal access control restrictions. This flaw demonstrates a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where the web interface does not adequately enforce authorization checks, particularly when transitioning from guest to administrative roles. The attack vector is remote and authenticated, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to the device, but once authenticated, they can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete administrative control. This type of attack maps to the ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through the exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and specifically targets the credential access and privilege escalation domains within the attack framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on these Cisco routers for network security. Once an attacker achieves administrative privileges, they gain complete control over the router's configuration, including the ability to modify firewall rules, change network settings, redirect traffic, and potentially establish backdoors for persistent access. The compromised device could become a pivot point for lateral movement within the network, allowing attackers to access internal systems that would otherwise be protected by the router's security controls. Organizations using these routers in their network infrastructure face significant risk of data breaches, network disruption, and potential compliance violations, especially in regulated environments where network security is mandated. The vulnerability affects devices that are commonly deployed in small to medium business environments where security monitoring may be limited, making detection of such attacks more challenging and potentially allowing attackers to maintain access for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-20393 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Cisco, which address the privilege escalation vulnerability through proper input validation and access control enforcement. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential compromise, ensuring that administrative access to these devices is restricted to trusted networks and users. Additional defensive measures include enabling multi-factor authentication for administrative access, implementing network monitoring to detect unusual HTTP request patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and implementing robust access control policies for network devices, as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards for information security management. Network administrators should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious HTTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts against similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities.