CVE-2021-1174 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Cisco Small Business RV110W, RV130, RV130W, and RV215W Routers are affected by multiple vulnerabilities in their web-based management interface. These vulnerabilities could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause devices to restart unexpectedly. Here's what you need to know about CVE-2021-1174:

Understanding CVE-2021-1174

This section provides an overview of the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-1174?

The CVE-2021-1174 vulnerability affects the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers, potentially enabling remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or trigger device restarts through crafted HTTP requests.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1174

The vulnerability's impact is significant, with a CVSS base score of 7.2 (High severity). Attackers with valid administrator credentials can exploit the vulnerability to execute code as the root user or cause denial of service (DoS) conditions.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1174

This section explores the specifics of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper validation of user-supplied input in the web-based management interface, allowing attackers to send crafted HTTP requests for malicious activities.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected products include Cisco Small Business RV Series Router Firmware. All versions are vulnerable.

Exploitation Mechanism

Successful exploitation requires attackers to possess valid administrator credentials for the targeted device. Crafted HTTP requests are utilized to trigger arbitrary code execution or device restarts.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section highlights immediate steps to take and long-term security practices to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-1174.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should ensure they have strong administrator credentials, monitor network traffic for suspicious activities, and follow vendor advisories closely.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing network segmentation, regular security training, and timely software updates are essential for ongoing protection against such vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

While Cisco has yet to release software updates addressing CVE-2021-1174, users should regularly check for security advisories and apply patches as soon as they become available.