CVE-2021-1314 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers Management Interface Command Injection Vulnerabilities were reported on February 3, 2021. These vulnerabilities could allow a remote attacker to inject arbitrary commands with root privileges. Learn more about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps associated with CVE-2021-1314.

Understanding CVE-2021-1314

Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers' web-based management interface is susceptible to command injection vulnerabilities, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

What is CVE-2021-1314?

Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers could allow authenticated remote attackers to inject arbitrary commands with root privileges due to improper input validation. Attackers could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending crafted HTTP requests to the target device.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1314

The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.2, indicating a high severity level. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution as the root user on the underlying operating system, posing a significant risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1314

The following technical details shed light on the vulnerability, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied input in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers, enabling attackers to inject and execute arbitrary commands.

Affected Systems and Versions

Cisco Small Business RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 Routers are impacted by these vulnerabilities, with all versions being susceptible to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with valid administrator credentials can exploit these vulnerabilities by sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the targeted device, allowing them to execute malicious commands with root privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your systems from CVE-2021-1314, consider implementing the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability and enhance security.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that could indicate an exploitation attempt.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all network devices to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Enforce the principle of least privilege to restrict user access and minimize the impact of potential security breaches.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Cisco and promptly apply recommended patches to mitigate emerging threats.