CVE-2004-1321 in FM2008 Managed Ethernet Switch
Summary
by MITRE
The configuration backup in Asante FM2008 running firmware 1.06 stores the username and password in cleartext, which could allow remote attackers to gain unauthorized access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1321 affects the Asante FM2008 network security device running firmware version 1.06. This issue represents a critical security flaw in the device's configuration backup mechanism that directly compromises the integrity of authentication credentials. The device stores both usernames and passwords in plaintext format within its backup configurations, creating an exploitable weakness that remote attackers can leverage to obtain unauthorized access to the system. This flaw fundamentally undermines the security posture of the network infrastructure by eliminating the basic protection mechanisms that should safeguard authentication information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from poor cryptographic practices within the device's backup functionality. When administrators create configuration backups for the Asante FM2008 device, the system fails to encrypt or obfuscate authentication credentials, instead storing them in plain text format. This design flaw aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of credentials. The cleartext storage means that any individual with access to the backup files can immediately extract valid login credentials without requiring additional cracking or exploitation techniques. This weakness operates at the application layer and demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure configuration management practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to the network security device. Once an attacker obtains the cleartext credentials through compromised backup files, they can authenticate to the device and potentially modify firewall rules, access network monitoring data, or even redirect traffic through the device. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials usage, and T1566 which covers credential access through various means. The remote nature of the attack vector means that attackers do not need physical access to the device or network, making the exploitation particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where backup files might be stored on network shares or cloud services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1321 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for the Asante FM2008 devices. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper access controls and encryption for all configuration backup files, ensuring that authentication credentials are never stored in plaintext format. Organizations should establish secure backup procedures that include encryption of sensitive data and restrict access to backup files through strict access control lists. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to the device. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-53, which emphasizes the need for secure configuration management and proper handling of sensitive data. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other network infrastructure devices. Organizations must also consider the broader implications of this vulnerability and ensure that their incident response procedures account for credential compromise scenarios, as the exposure of authentication credentials can lead to cascading security issues throughout the network infrastructure.