CVE-2001-1291 in Superstack II PS Hub
Summary
by MITRE
The telnet server for 3Com hardware such as PS40 SuperStack II does not delay or disconnect remote attackers who provide an incorrect username or password, which makes it easier to break into the server via brute force password guessing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1291 represents a critical security flaw in the telnet server implementation of 3Com hardware devices including the PS40 SuperStack II series. This weakness stems from the server's failure to implement proper account lockout mechanisms or rate limiting controls when handling authentication attempts. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication process where the telnet server does not enforce any delays or disconnection policies for failed login attempts, creating an environment conducive to automated brute force attacks.
This flaw directly relates to CWE-307 which addresses inadequate account lockout mechanisms and represents a fundamental failure in authentication security controls. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to systematically attempt multiple username and password combinations without facing any artificial delays or connection termination. The lack of protective measures means that attackers can rapidly cycle through potential credentials, significantly increasing their probability of successfully gaining unauthorized access to the network device.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risk to network security infrastructure as it enables unauthorized access to critical network management functions. The telnet protocol itself operates in plaintext, making credential interception trivial for network eavesdroppers, while the absence of authentication throttling removes any barriers to automated attack execution. Network administrators managing 3Com hardware devices would face significant exposure to unauthorized access attempts, potentially leading to complete network compromise and unauthorized modification of device configurations.
The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110 which covers credential access through brute force methods. This weakness creates an ideal environment for attackers to leverage automated tools for password guessing, making it particularly dangerous in environments where default credentials are used or where weak passwords are common. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within network segments.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling telnet services in favor of SSH protocols, implementing strong access controls with proper authentication mechanisms, and deploying network segmentation to limit exposure. The recommended approach involves replacing telnet with secure shell implementations that provide proper authentication handling and connection management. Additionally, network access control lists should be configured to restrict access to management interfaces from trusted networks only, while implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual authentication patterns that may indicate brute force attempts.