CVE-2004-0308 in ONS 15454 Optical Transport Platform
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in Cisco ONS 15327 before 4.1(3), ONS 15454 before 4.6(1), ONS 15454 SD before 4.1(3), and Cisco ONS15600 before 1.3(0) allows a superuser whose account is locked out, disabled, or suspended to gain unauthorized access via a Telnet connection to the VxWorks shell.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2019
This vulnerability exists in multiple Cisco ONS series network equipment platforms including the ONS 15327, ONS 15454, ONS 15454 SD, and ONS 15600 devices. The flaw resides in the authentication and access control mechanisms of these systems, specifically within the VxWorks operating system kernel that powers these network appliances. The vulnerability is categorized as a privilege escalation issue that allows unauthorized access through Telnet connections. According to industry standards, this corresponds to CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and potentially CWE-305, which deals with authentication bypass mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects systems running versions prior to the listed secure releases, creating a persistent security gap that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the failure of the system to properly validate account status during authentication processes. When a superuser account is locked out, disabled, or suspended, the system should prevent access attempts through Telnet connections to the VxWorks shell. However, due to this vulnerability, authenticated users who should be denied access can still establish connections to the underlying operating system shell. This represents a critical breakdown in the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in the authentication system's account validation procedures. The VxWorks shell provides low-level system access that could enable attackers to modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or escalate privileges further within the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Network administrators face the risk of unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure components that could result in complete system compromise. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain root access to the VxWorks operating system, potentially leading to network outages, data breaches, or the ability to redirect traffic through malicious channels. The vulnerability affects carrier-grade network equipment, making it particularly dangerous as these devices often form the backbone of telecommunications networks. The exploitability of this vulnerability through standard Telnet connections means that attackers do not require specialized tools or physical access to the devices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), representing legitimate account exploitation techniques that could be used to gain deeper system access.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to the secure versions mentioned in the CVE description, disabling Telnet access where possible, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to these critical systems. The recommended remediation approach aligns with NIST SP 800-53 security controls, particularly those related to access control and system configuration management. Additionally, implementing strong monitoring and logging of Telnet connections, along with regular security assessments of network infrastructure, would help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper account lifecycle management and the necessity of robust authentication mechanisms even for administrative accounts that may be temporarily disabled or suspended. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and network access controls to reduce the attack surface for such critical infrastructure devices.