CVE-2021-1213 : Security Advisory and Response

Cisco Small Business RV110W, RV130, RV130W, and RV215W Routers are affected by multiple vulnerabilities in their web-based management interface, allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause devices to restart. This article delves into the details of CVE-2021-1213 and provides insights into its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2021-1213

Cisco Small Business RV Series Router Firmware is impacted by critical security vulnerabilities that could enable authenticated remote attackers to perform malicious activities, such as executing arbitrary code or triggering unexpected restarts on affected devices.

What is CVE-2021-1213?

CVE-2021-1213 exposes a flaw in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV Series Router Firmware, allowing attackers to exploit improper input validation and potentially gain root user access or launch denial of service attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1213

The vulnerabilities pose a high severity threat with a CVSS base score of 7.2, highlighting their potential to cause significant confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. Attackers can exploit these flaws to execute arbitrary code or disrupt device operations, requiring valid administrator credentials for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1213

Explore the specific technical aspects related to CVE-2021-1213, including vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and the underlying exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerabilities stem from inadequate input validation within the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV Series Router Firmware, enabling attackers to craft malicious HTTP requests for executing arbitrary code or triggering denial of service incidents.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of Cisco Small Business RV Series Router Firmware are susceptible to these vulnerabilities, emphasizing the urgent need for proactive security measures and mitigation strategies.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2021-1213, attackers must possess valid administrator credentials to interact with the affected devices and send specially crafted HTTP requests, leveraging the inadequate input validation to execute unauthorized code or disrupt device operations.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the essential steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-1213, safeguard affected systems, and enhance overall security posture to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure strict access controls, monitor network traffic for suspicious activities, and deploy temporary mitigations while awaiting official software updates from Cisco to address the vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust security protocols, conduct regular security audits, prioritize firmware updates, and educate users on secure practices to mitigate the risk of similar vulnerabilities exploiting the network infrastructure.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about official security advisories from Cisco regarding CVE-2021-1213, promptly apply recommended patches or updates, and adhere to best practices in maintaining a secure and resilient network environment.