CVE-2019-15271 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the web-based management interface of certain Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers. This vulnerability allows an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. The attacker must possess either a valid credential or an active session token to exploit this vulnerability. The underlying issue stems from a lack of input validation of the HTTP payload, which can be exploited by sending a malicious HTTP request to the web interface of the targeted device.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, indicating a high severity level. This classification is critical as it highlights the potential impact on affected organizations. Successful exploitation could lead to significant security breaches, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.
Given its high severity and the potential for exploitation, organizations using affected Cisco RV Series Routers should prioritize patching immediately. The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and control over the affected devices, which could lead to further attacks within the network.
This vulnerability is included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, which underscores its relevance and urgency for remediation. Organizations should take immediate action to mitigate risk.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is detailed in the vendor advisory, which explains that it affects various firmware versions of the Cisco RV016, RV042, RV042G, and RV082 routers. The lack of input validation allows an authenticated user to send malicious requests that are processed by the device, leading to command execution with root privileges.
The vulnerability has been assigned CWE-502, indicating that it falls under the category of deserialization of untrusted data vulnerabilities. The impact of this vulnerability is severe, with potential ramifications including complete compromise of the device.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2019-15271 is the inadequate input validation in the web management interface. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious HTTP requests that the router processes without proper validation, allowing execution of arbitrary commands.
The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is low, meaning that exploitation does not require advanced skills or resources. The privileges required are also low, as any authenticated user can initiate the attack without user interaction.
Regarding the impact assessments, the confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated as high. This indicates that successful exploitation could lead to full access to the system, compromising sensitive data and disrupting service.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing affected Cisco RV Series Routers face significant risks due to this vulnerability. The potential for unauthorized command execution poses a direct threat to the security posture of the network. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain control over network devices, leading to broader system compromises.
The blast radius for this vulnerability is considerable, as it impacts multiple models of Cisco routers. Organizations must assess their deployment to identify affected devices and prioritize their patching strategies accordingly. The urgency for addressing this vulnerability cannot be overstated, as the exploitability and potential impact are high.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include various firmware versions for Cisco RV016, RV042, RV042G, and RV082 routers. Specifically, all versions prior to 4.2.3.10 are vulnerable to this issue.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the necessary updates as per the vendor's instructions to remediate this vulnerability. The recommended action is to upgrade to the latest firmware version to ensure the security of affected devices. If patching is not immediately feasible, organizations should implement network controls to limit access to the management interfaces of the routers.
In addition to applying patches, organizations may consider engaging in penetration testing to ensure that all security measures are effective and that no additional vulnerabilities exist.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual access patterns or attempts to exploit the web management interface. Behavioral anomalies such as unexpected commands or unauthorized access attempts should also be flagged for further investigation. Implementing network signatures that can detect malicious requests targeting the management interface will enhance visibility and provide early warning of potential attacks.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2019-15271 represents a significant risk for organizations utilizing Cisco RV Series Routers. The inclusion in the KEV catalog indicates the urgency of addressing this vulnerability to mitigate the risks associated with potential exploitation. Security teams should learn from this incident and continuously assess their security posture against similar vulnerabilities.
To strengthen defenses, organizations should consider implementing a vulnerability management program that facilitates regular assessments and timely updates. Furthermore, adopting best practices for security testing can help identify weaknesses before they can be exploited.
By maintaining a proactive security stance and engaging in continuous improvement, organizations can mitigate the risks posed by vulnerabilities such as CVE-2019-15271.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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