IRONSMITHINTEL
HIGHCVSS8.8
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2019-15271|Auth: low — authenticated user|Reboot: required|Manual only

Cisco RV Series Routers Deserialization of Untrusted Data Vulnerability

A deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability in the web-based management interface of certain Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers could allow an attacker to execute code with root privileges.

Published Nov 26, 2019 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, with a low-privilege account, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2022-06-22 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CWE-502) vulnerability in Cisco RV Series Routers. A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of certain Cisco Small Business RV Series Routers could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. The attacker must have either a valid credential or an active session token. The vulnerability is due to lack of input validation of the HTTP payload. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a malicious HTTP request to the web-based management interface of the targeted device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands with root privileges. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, a low-privilege authenticated account, and no user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

Network Security Team
Firewall Administrators
IT Security
Running rv016 multi-wan vpn firmware: v < 4.2.3.10; rv042 dual wan vpn firmware: v < 4.2.3.10; rv042g dual gigabit wan vpn firmware: v < 4.2.3.10; rv082 dual wan vpn firmware: v < 4.2.3.10
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

CISA added this CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-06-08 based on evidence of active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies required to remediate by 2022-06-22.

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20191106-sbrv-cmd-x
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-15271
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-15271
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