CVE-2021-1146 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Multiple vulnerabilities have been identified in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers, including RV110W, RV130, RV130W, and RV215W. These vulnerabilities could enable a remote attacker with authenticated access to inject arbitrary commands, leading to the execution of code with root privileges. This article delves into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-1146.

Understanding CVE-2021-1146

This section provides an in-depth analysis of the critical vulnerabilities found in the Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers.

What is CVE-2021-1146?

The CVE-2021-1146 vulnerability involves the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers, allowing a remote attacker with valid credentials to inject arbitrary commands that can be executed with root privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1146

The impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it enables an attacker to execute arbitrary code as the root user on the underlying operating system, posing a significant security risk to affected devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1146

This section focuses on the technical aspects of CVE-2021-1146, including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface are attributed to improper validation of user-supplied input, which allows attackers to send crafted HTTP requests to execute arbitrary code with root privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected systems include Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers: RV110W, RV130, RV130W, and RV215W. All versions are susceptible to these vulnerabilities.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by sending malicious HTTP requests to the targeted devices. Successful exploitation requires valid administrator credentials on the affected device.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-1146 and prevent potential security breaches.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is crucial to ensure tight security controls, restrict network access, and monitor for any suspicious activities on the affected devices. Implementing strong password policies and conducting regular security audits are also recommended.

Long-Term Security Practices

Organizations should stay informed about security updates from Cisco, apply patches promptly upon release, and conduct regular security training for network administrators and users to enhance overall cybersecurity resilience.

Patching and Updates

Cisco has not yet released software updates to address the vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers. Organizations are advised to regularly check for official patches and apply them as soon as they become available.