CVE-2004-2455 in Wireless Broadband Router Accesspoint 802.11g
Summary
by MITRE
Sweex Wireless Broadband Router/Accesspoint 802.11g (LC000060) allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information and gain privileges by using TFTP to download the nvram file, then extracting the username, password, and other data from the file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2455 affects the Sweex Wireless Broadband Router/Accesspoint model LC000060 running 802.11g wireless standards. This represents a critical security flaw in network infrastructure devices that exposes fundamental weaknesses in how embedded systems handle sensitive data storage and retrieval. The vulnerability stems from the device's implementation of the Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) service, which was designed for simple file transfers but lacks proper authentication mechanisms. This flaw allows remote attackers to exploit the TFTP server functionality to download the device's non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM) configuration file without requiring any valid credentials or authentication.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging the TFTP protocol's inherent design limitations to access the router's NVRAM file, which contains critical system configuration data including administrative credentials. The NVRAM file typically stores user account information, passwords, network configuration parameters, and other sensitive operational data in an unencrypted format. When attackers successfully download this file, they can extract authentication credentials and other confidential information that provides them with unauthorized access to the device's administrative interface. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates how embedded network devices often fail to implement proper data protection measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to gain full administrative control over the affected wireless access point. Once credentials are extracted, attackers can modify network configurations, implement malicious network policies, redirect traffic, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise and home network environments where wireless access points serve as critical network entry points, potentially allowing attackers to pivot to other network segments or escalate privileges to compromise additional devices. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or prior authentication.
This vulnerability aligns with multiple CWE classifications including CWE-200 Information Exposure, CWE-264 Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls, and CWE-312 Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information. The attack pattern corresponds to the MITRE ATT&CK framework's T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing tactics, as the vulnerability enables adversaries to obtain legitimate administrative credentials for network infrastructure. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling unnecessary TFTP services, restricting network access to the affected devices, and implementing proper network segmentation. Device firmware updates should be applied immediately if available, and network administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all affected devices within their infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure configuration practices and the need for proper data encryption even in embedded network devices where resource constraints might limit security implementation.