CVE-1999-0508 in LanRover
Summary
by MITRE
An account on a router, firewall, or other network device has a default, null, blank, or missing password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2022
This vulnerability represents a fundamental authentication flaw that has plagued network infrastructure devices since the early days of internet connectivity. The issue occurs when network devices such as routers, firewalls, and other security appliances ship with pre-configured accounts that lack proper password protection. These default accounts often have blank passwords, null credentials, or passwords that are widely known and easily guessable, creating a critical security weakness that can be exploited by unauthorized users. The vulnerability stems from poor security practices during device manufacturing and deployment, where vendors fail to enforce strong authentication mechanisms or properly secure default administrative accounts.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to network devices through simple credential guessing or by using well-documented default login information. When a device contains an account with no password or a blank password field, an attacker can simply log in without providing any authentication credentials. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in the device's authentication system. The vulnerability can be exploited using basic network scanning tools or through manual attempts, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal technical skill or resources to compromise. This weakness is categorized under CWE-798 as the use of hard-coded credentials and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as compromised network devices can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration. Once an attacker gains access through a default password, they can modify device configurations, redirect traffic, install malicious software, or use the device as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network. The compromised device may also be used to launch attacks against external targets or to create persistent backdoors. Organizations with multiple devices using default passwords face exponentially increased risk, as each vulnerable device represents a potential attack vector. The vulnerability can lead to complete network compromise, data breaches, and disruption of critical network services, making it one of the most dangerous configuration flaws in network security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate and comprehensive action to secure network infrastructure. Organizations must implement mandatory password policies for all default accounts, ensuring that each device has unique and complex credentials that are changed from factory defaults. Network administrators should conduct regular inventory audits to identify devices with default passwords and remediate them immediately. Security configurations should include disabling unused accounts and services, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly updating device firmware to address known vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the impact of a compromised device, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unauthorized access attempts. The implementation of network access control lists and multi-factor authentication for administrative access can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation of this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar configuration weaknesses across the entire network infrastructure.