CVE-2021-1169 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV110W, RV130, RV130W, and RV215W Routers could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition. An authenticated attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending crafted HTTP requests to an affected device, potentially gaining root access to the underlying operating system.

Understanding CVE-2021-1169

This CVE involves multiple vulnerabilities in Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers that could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause service interruptions.

What is CVE-2021-1169?

The vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers could be exploited by authenticated attackers to run arbitrary code or trigger a DoS condition.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1169

If successfully exploited, these vulnerabilities could allow attackers to gain root access to the device's operating system or cause the device to reload unexpectedly, resulting in a DoS condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1169

The vulnerability arises from improper validation of user-supplied input in the web-based management interface. The CVSS v3.1 base score for this vulnerability is 7.2, indicating a high severity level.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerabilities allow attackers to execute arbitrary code as the root user or cause a denial of service condition by sending crafted HTTP requests to the affected devices.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected products include Cisco Small Business RV110W, RV130, RV130W, and RV215W Routers with unspecified versions.

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated attacker with valid administrator credentials can exploit these vulnerabilities by sending specially crafted HTTP requests.

Mitigation and Prevention

Users are advised to take immediate steps to secure their devices and implement long-term security practices to prevent exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure that the management interface is not directly exposed to untrusted networks and consider implementing access controls to limit exposure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories from Cisco and apply software updates promptly when available to address these vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

As of the last update, Cisco had not released software updates to address the vulnerabilities identified in CVE-2021-1169.