External risk intelligence

Cisco RV Series Routers Code Execution Vulnerability.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2022-20699

Multiple vulnerabilities in Cisco Small Business routers could allow an attacker to execute code, elevate privileges, or disrupt services, posing a risk of unauthorized access and control over network operations.

5Halo Surface Signal

Denial of Service

Cisco Rv340 Firmware

1.0.03.24 and earlier

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2022-20699

This CVE affects Cisco Small Business RV series routers. These devices are typically deployed as internet edge gateways, acting as the primary network boundary for small business environments, making them public-facing by design for management, VPN access, and routing services.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

Certain Cisco Small Business RV series routers are impacted by multiple vulnerabilities. These flaws could permit an attacker to execute arbitrary code, elevate privileges, bypass security controls, or disrupt services. The primary business risk involves potential unauthorized access and control over network operations.

  • Vulnerable Cisco RV routers
  • Weakness allows code execution
  • Compromise of business systems

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

Vulnerabilities in Cisco Small Business routers could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code, elevate privileges, or bypass security controls. This could lead to unauthorized access and control over the affected network devices. The attack is possible due to the nature of the product's exposure, which often includes internet-facing services.

  • Exposure condition: Internet-facing router services.
  • Attacker starting point: Unauthenticated network access.
  • Trigger and result: Execute code, gain elevated privileges, or bypass security.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

Multiple vulnerabilities in certain Cisco Small Business routers present a significant threat. These flaws could allow an unauthorized attacker to gain complete control over affected devices, leading to severe business disruptions. The potential for code execution, privilege escalation, and denial of service indicates a high level of risk for organizations utilizing these routers.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Low
  • Required access or conditions: Network access
  • Business risk or urgency: Critical

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

Multiple vulnerabilities in certain Cisco Small Business Series Routers could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code, elevate privileges, or cause a denial of service. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities poses a significant risk to organizational security and data integrity. Organizations with affected devices should prioritize addressing these issues to maintain a secure operating environment.

  • Identify all affected Cisco router assets.
  • Isolate vulnerable devices from external access.
  • Apply vendor patches and validate remediation.

Frequently asked questions

What are Cisco RV series routers used for?

Cisco RV series routers, such as the RV160, RV260, RV340, and RV345, are network devices commonly used by small businesses. They function as gateways, providing internet access, managing network traffic, and often enabling secure remote connections like VPNs.

What kind of vulnerability is CVE-2022-20699?

CVE-2022-20699 encompasses multiple weaknesses. According to the catalog, these include issues related to stack-based buffer overflows (CWE-121) and other vulnerabilities that can lead to arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation.

How can an attacker exploit this CVE?

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability without needing any credentials. The attack requires the attacker to have network access to the affected router, and successful exploitation could allow them to run their own code, gain higher privileges, or bypass security measures.

How relevant is CVE-2022-20699 to my organization?

This CVE is highly relevant because Cisco RV series routers are typically deployed as internet-facing devices. This means they are directly accessible from the internet, increasing the potential for external attackers to compromise them and access your network.

What is the first step to address this vulnerability?

The first step is to identify all Cisco RV series router assets within your organization that may be affected. Once identified, it is crucial to apply any available patches or updates provided by Cisco to remediate the vulnerabilities and secure your network.

References