CVE-2004-1791 in Full Rate ADSL Router
Summary
by MITRE
The web management interface in Edimax AR-6004 ADSL Routers uses a default administrator name and password, which also appear as the default login text for the management interface, which allows remote attackers to gain access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1791 represents a critical security flaw in the Edimax AR-6004 ADSL router's web management interface. This issue stems from the device's implementation of hardcoded default credentials that are both present in the firmware and displayed prominently within the management interface itself. The flaw exists at the authentication layer where the router fails to enforce proper credential management, allowing any remote attacker to gain administrative access simply by knowing the default username and password combination. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles of credential isolation and access control, creating an immediate and severe risk to network security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the router's web interface design where default administrative credentials are not only embedded in the device firmware but are also visible as placeholder text within the login form itself. This design flaw means that attackers can observe the credentials through simple browser inspection or network traffic analysis, eliminating the need for any additional reconnaissance or exploitation techniques. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-798 as the use of hardcoded credentials, and it also aligns with CWE-259 which addresses the use of weak passwords or default passwords. The flaw operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically within the web server component that handles user authentication requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the router's configuration. Once compromised, attackers can modify network settings, change firewall rules, disable security features, and potentially establish backdoors for persistent access. The default credentials can be exploited from any location with internet access, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise and home network environments where such devices are often left unpatched. This vulnerability enables various attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers can easily identify and exploit this weak authentication mechanism. The compromised router can then serve as a pivot point for attacking internal network resources or as a command and control node for botnet activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must include immediate credential changes as the primary remediation step, requiring users to modify the default administrative password to a strong, unique value. Network administrators should implement regular security audits to identify and remediate similar hardcoded credential issues in other network devices. The router firmware should be updated to versions that properly handle authentication and do not display default credentials in the user interface. Organizations should establish robust password policies and implement multi-factor authentication where possible. Additionally, network segmentation and access control lists should be deployed to limit the impact of potential compromise. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management practices and proper device hardening procedures as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-125 and ISO/IEC 27001. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar credential-related issues across the network infrastructure.