CVE-2004-1970 in SmartEther SS6215S Switch
Summary
by MITRE
Samsung SmartEther SS6215S switch, and possibly other Samsung switches, allows remote attackers and local users to gain administrative access by providing the admin username followed by a password that is the maximum allowed length, then pressing the enter key after the resulting error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1970 affects Samsung SmartEther SS6215S switches and potentially other Samsung network switching equipment. This represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs during authentication processing when the system handles excessively long password inputs. The flaw exists in the switch's authentication mechanism where the device fails to properly validate or truncate input parameters before processing them, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by both remote attackers and local users with access to the device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the switch's authentication subsystem. When an attacker provides an admin username followed by a password of maximum allowed length and then presses enter after encountering an error message, the system's handling of this specific sequence triggers a buffer overflow condition. This overflow allows the attacker to overwrite memory locations that control the device's authentication process, ultimately granting administrative privileges. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through the switch's console interface or network management protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides unauthorized users with complete administrative control over affected network switches. Once exploited, attackers can modify network configurations, implement malicious routing rules, disable network services, or establish persistent backdoor access points. The vulnerability affects network infrastructure security by potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical network components, disrupting network operations and creating opportunities for further lateral movement within the network environment. This represents a significant risk to network availability and integrity, particularly in environments where network switches serve as critical infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Samsung to address the buffer overflow condition in the authentication subsystem. Network administrators should also implement strict access controls limiting physical and remote access to network switches, employ network segmentation to isolate critical infrastructure, and monitor switch console sessions for suspicious activity. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access, demonstrating how this flaw enables both unauthorized access and privilege escalation within network environments. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists to restrict switch management interfaces and establish robust logging and monitoring procedures to detect exploitation attempts.