CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-20703Exploited in the wildNVD status: Analyzed

Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers Stack-based Buffer Overflow

CVE-2022-20703 is a high-severity improper certificate validation vulnerability in Cisco Small Business RV Series Router Firmware from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.0 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on March 3, 2022, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.

Patch now

Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Cisco Small Business RV Series Router Firmware you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
  3. Read the advisory on tools.cisco.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  4. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
CiscoCisco Small Business RV Series Router FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
CiscoRv340 Firmware1.0.03.24 and earlierNot stated
CiscoRv340w Firmware1.0.03.24 and earlierNot stated
CiscoRv345 Firmware1.0.03.24 and earlierNot stated
CiscoRv345p Firmware1.0.03.24 and earlierNot stated
CiscoRv160 Firmware1.0.01.05 and earlierNot stated
CiscoRv160w Firmware1.0.01.05 and earlierNot stated
CiscoRv260 Firmware1.0.01.05 and earlierNot stated
CiscoRv260p Firmware1.0.01.05 and earlierNot stated
CiscoRv260w Firmware1.0.01.05 and earlierNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.110.0CriticalCNA (cisco.com)
CVSS 3.18.0HighNVD
CVSS 2.07.2HighNVD

Official description

Multiple vulnerabilities in Cisco Small Business RV160, RV260, RV340, and RV345 Series Routers could allow an attacker to do any of the following: Execute arbitrary code Elevate privileges Execute arbitrary commands Bypass authentication and authorization protections Fetch and run unsigned software Cause denial of service (DoS) For more information about these vulnerabilities, see the Details section of this advisory.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Certificate Validation

The product does not validate, or incorrectly validates, a certificate.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Certificates should be carefully managed and checked to assure that data are encrypted with the intended owner's public key.
  • If certificate pinning is being used, ensure that all relevant properties of the certificate are fully validated before the certificate is pinned, including the hostname.

More Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities (CWE-295)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
  3. Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
  4. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  5. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Small Business RV Series Router Firmware

All Cisco Small Business RV Series Router Firmware vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities

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