CVE-2004-1921 in WLAN 11b Broadband Router
Summary
by MITRE
X-Micro WLAN 11b Broadband Router 1.6.0.1 has a hardcoded "1502" username and password, which could allow remote attackers to gain access.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1921 represents a critical security flaw in the X-Micro WLAN 11b Broadband Router version 1.6.0.1, which falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms and hardcoded credentials. This issue stems from the router's firmware implementation where default administrative credentials are embedded directly into the software code rather than being dynamically generated or securely stored. The hardcoded username "1502" and its corresponding password create a persistent security risk that persists across device deployments and updates, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment scenarios.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-798, which defines the weakness of using hardcoded credentials in software implementations. The flaw allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to the router's management interface without requiring any additional authentication factors or knowledge of legitimate user credentials. The security implications are severe as attackers can exploit this weakness to modify router configurations, implement malicious network policies, monitor network traffic, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that no physical access or local network presence is required for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise and residential deployments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential network compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Once an attacker gains administrative control, they can modify firewall rules to allow malicious traffic, configure port forwarding for external access, or even install malicious firmware updates. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1021 which addresses remote services, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access through legitimate administrative accounts. The router's default configuration creates a backdoor that persists across reboots and firmware updates, making it a particularly persistent threat vector.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including changing the default administrative credentials to strong, unique passwords that are not hardcoded into the device. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to isolate critical infrastructure from general network access and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized access attempts. The most effective long-term solution involves firmware updates from the vendor or replacement of affected devices with models that properly implement dynamic credential generation. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other hardcoded credentials in their network infrastructure and implement secure configuration management practices to prevent similar issues in future deployments. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper authentication design and the dangers of embedding static credentials in network devices.