CVE-2005-1828 in DSL-504T
Summary
by MITRE
D-Link DSL-504T stores usernames and passwords in cleartext in the router configuration file, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2018
The D-Link DSL-504T router presents a critical security vulnerability where authentication credentials are stored in plaintext within the device's configuration file. This flaw represents a fundamental failure in secure credential management practices and creates a significant attack surface for malicious actors. The vulnerability exists due to improper handling of sensitive information during the configuration storage process, where usernames and passwords are persisted without any form of encryption or obfuscation. This configuration file is accessible to remote attackers who can exploit the vulnerability to extract these cleartext credentials and gain unauthorized access to network resources. The implications extend beyond simple credential theft as these stored credentials often provide access to administrative interfaces, network services, and potentially connected systems. The vulnerability directly violates security best practices outlined in industry standards such as the CWE-312 weakness category, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage. This weakness is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to perform privilege escalation and persistent access to network infrastructure without requiring additional attack vectors or exploitation techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the router's configuration management system failing to implement proper cryptographic safeguards for sensitive data. When administrators configure the device, their usernames and passwords are written directly to the configuration file in an unencrypted format, making them immediately accessible to anyone who can read the file. This approach violates fundamental security principles and creates an environment where the device itself becomes a repository for sensitive information. The cleartext storage mechanism allows for straightforward extraction of credentials through various attack vectors including direct file access, network reconnaissance, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities that may provide access to the configuration file. This design flaw enables attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain immediate access to administrative functions, network resources, and potentially sensitive data within the network ecosystem. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and represents a failure in data protection mechanisms that should have been implemented during the device's development lifecycle.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond the immediate compromise of individual router instances. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access to network infrastructure, potentially enabling them to monitor traffic, modify configurations, or redirect network traffic. The stolen credentials often provide access to multiple systems and services that share the same authentication credentials, creating a cascading effect of compromise. Network administrators who rely on the router for security enforcement may find their entire network infrastructure compromised if attackers can access administrative interfaces through these stolen credentials. The vulnerability also creates challenges for network auditing and compliance requirements, as the presence of cleartext credentials violates many security frameworks and regulatory standards. This weakness can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network security is not properly maintained or monitored. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the foundational network security device, potentially allowing attackers to move laterally through the network and access additional systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues. Organizations should implement immediate credential rotation for all affected devices, ensuring that any compromised credentials are invalidated and replaced with new secure values. Network administrators should consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts or configuration changes. The device firmware should be updated to implement proper encryption for sensitive data storage, preventing cleartext credential storage in future configurations. Security controls should include regular configuration file audits and access restriction policies to limit who can read sensitive information from the device. Network segmentation and additional authentication layers should be implemented to reduce the impact of credential compromise. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security standards such as those outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework where credential access represents a critical initial access vector. Organizations should also implement comprehensive security awareness training for network administrators to ensure proper configuration practices and understanding of credential protection mechanisms. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in network infrastructure components and ensure proper implementation of security controls.