CVE-2019-1914 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A security flaw in the web management interface of Cisco Small Business 220 Series Smart Switches allows an attacker to execute arbitrary shell commands with root user privileges.

Understanding CVE-2019-1914

This CVE involves a command injection vulnerability in Cisco Small Business 220 Series Smart Switches.

What is CVE-2019-1914?

The vulnerability enables an authorized attacker at privilege level 15 to launch a command injection attack through the web management interface due to improper input validation.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1914

CVSS Base Score: 7.2 (High Severity)
Attack Vector: Network
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High
Privileges Required: High
Scope: Unchanged
User Interaction: None

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1914

The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows an attacker to send crafted requests to specific sections of the web interface, potentially leading to the execution of arbitrary shell commands.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Cisco Small Business 220 Series Smart Plus Switches
Vendor: Cisco
Affected Version: < 1.1.4.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The attacker needs to be logged in at privilege level 15 and send a specially crafted request to the web management interface via HTTP or HTTPS.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2019-1914 with the following measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates promptly.
Restrict network access to the web management interface.
Monitor network traffic for signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all network devices.
Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing.

Patching and Updates

Cisco has released patches to address this vulnerability.