CVE-2004-1976 in 7008ABR
Summary
by MITRE
SMC Barricade broadband router 7008ABR and 7004VBR enable remote administration by default, which allows remote attackers to gain access by connecting to port 1900.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2017
The SMC Barricade broadband router series, specifically models 7008ABR and 7004VBR, contains a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized remote administration access through port 1900. This vulnerability represents a significant weakness in the device's default configuration, as it provides attackers with unrestricted access to the router's administrative interface without requiring authentication. The flaw exists in the router's implementation of the Simple Network Discovery Protocol (SNMP) or Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) functionality, which is typically used for device discovery and network management but has been improperly configured to allow remote access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the router's default settings that activate remote administration capabilities without proper access controls or authentication mechanisms. Port 1900 is commonly used for UPnP services, which allow devices to automatically configure network settings and discover other network devices. However, in this case, the router's implementation fails to properly restrict access to administrative functions, creating an attack surface that allows any remote attacker to connect and potentially gain full control over the device. This misconfiguration falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-284, where insufficient privileges or authentication mechanisms permit unauthorized access to protected resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected routers. Once an attacker gains access through port 1900, they can modify network configurations, change DNS settings, implement man-in-the-middle attacks, or redirect traffic to malicious destinations. This compromise can lead to widespread network disruption, data interception, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects devices that are often deployed in residential and small business environments where network administrators may not be actively monitoring or securing these devices. The attack surface is further extended by the fact that many users are unaware of the remote administration capabilities being enabled by default, making the exploitation process straightforward and largely undetectable.
Security professionals should immediately disable remote administration features on affected devices and implement proper access controls for any necessary administrative access. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to block access to port 1900 from external networks. The recommended mitigation strategies align with ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) and T1566 (Phishing for Information), as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access and potentially escalate privileges. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure configuration practices as outlined in NIST SP 800-53 controls, specifically emphasizing the need for proper access control and network service management. Organizations should conduct comprehensive network audits to identify all affected devices and ensure that default administrative credentials are changed and that unnecessary services are disabled to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.