CVE-2004-1766 in Security Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The default installation of NetScreen-Security Manager before Feature Pack 1 does not enable encryption for communication with devices running ScreenOS 5.0, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via sniffing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1766 affects the default configuration of NetScreen-Security Manager software prior to Feature Pack 1, specifically impacting communications with devices running ScreenOS 5.0 operating system. This represents a significant security weakness in network security management systems where sensitive data transmission is not properly secured by default settings.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of encryption mechanisms during communication between the NetScreen-Security Manager and ScreenOS 5.0 devices. When devices are installed with the default configuration, they fail to establish encrypted connections, leaving all transmitted data vulnerable to interception. This unencrypted communication channel allows attackers to capture network traffic using standard packet sniffing tools, thereby gaining access to sensitive information exchanged between management systems and network devices. The vulnerability specifically targets the communication protocols used for management functions, including configuration data, authentication credentials, and operational parameters that flow between the management interface and the network security appliances.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations relying on NetScreen-Security Manager for network device management. Remote attackers who can intercept network traffic can obtain not only configuration details but also potentially sensitive operational data that could be used for further attacks against the network infrastructure. This vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and can enable attackers to gain insights into network topology, device configurations, and security policies that would otherwise remain protected. The risk is particularly severe because the vulnerability exists in the default installation, meaning organizations may unknowingly operate with exposed communication channels without implementing additional security measures.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Feature Pack 1 or later versions of NetScreen-Security Manager where encryption is properly enabled by default. Network administrators must also ensure that all communication channels between management systems and network devices are configured with appropriate encryption protocols such as SSL/TLS or IPsec. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses, and demonstrates how default insecure configurations can create persistent security risks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1046, Network Service Scanning, and T1071, Application Layer Protocol, as attackers can exploit the unencrypted communication channels to gather information about network services and protocols. Additionally, this weakness contributes to T1566, Phishing, and T1567, Exfiltration, as the intercepted data could be used to craft more sophisticated attacks or be directly exfiltrated from the network environment.