CVE-2004-1694 in ON Command CCM
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec ON Command CCM 5.4.x and iCommand 3.0.x has four default usernames and passwords, one of which is hardcoded, which allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1694 affects Symantec ON Command CCM version 5.4.x and iCommand version 3.0.x, representing a critical authentication flaw that exposes these enterprise-level network management systems to unauthorized access. This vulnerability specifically relates to the presence of default credentials that are either hardcoded within the software or distributed with the product installation, creating persistent security weaknesses that persist across system deployments. The flaw allows remote attackers to exploit these predetermined authentication credentials without requiring any additional reconnaissance or exploitation techniques, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such systems manage critical network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves hardcoded default usernames and passwords that are embedded within the application binaries or configuration files during the development process. These credentials are typically set to common values such as 'admin' or 'administrator' paired with default passwords like 'admin' or 'password', which are well-known and easily discoverable through standard security research databases or public vulnerability repositories. The presence of hardcoded credentials violates fundamental security principles and represents a classic example of poor secure coding practices that can be categorized under CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software applications. The vulnerability's remote accessibility means that attackers can exploit it from external network locations without requiring physical access to the system or prior authentication to the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with potential entry points to critical network management systems that control essential infrastructure components. When attackers successfully exploit these default credentials, they can gain administrative privileges to perform actions such as modifying network configurations, accessing sensitive network data, conducting man-in-the-middle attacks, or establishing persistent access points within the network environment. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage these default credentials to obtain legitimate administrative access to network management systems. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where ON Command CCM and iCommand systems are used to manage large-scale network infrastructure, as unauthorized access to these systems can potentially compromise entire network segments and facilitate lateral movement attacks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate remediation measures including changing all default credentials to strong, unique passwords, disabling or removing unnecessary default accounts, and conducting comprehensive network audits to identify any systems that may still be running vulnerable versions of the software. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing robust credential management policies, utilizing privileged access management solutions, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify hardcoded credentials within applications and systems. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of credential compromise, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized access attempts, and establish regular patch management processes to ensure timely updates to security software. Additionally, organizations should conduct staff training on secure configuration practices and maintain up-to-date inventories of all network management systems to prevent the deployment of vulnerable software versions in production environments.