CVE-2005-2434 in WRT54G Wireless-G Router
Summary
by MITRE
Linksys WRT54G router uses the same private key and certificate for every router, which allows remote attackers to sniff the SSL connection and obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2019
The CVE-2005-2434 vulnerability affects Linksys WRT54G wireless routers and represents a critical cryptographic flaw that undermines the security of SSL communications. This vulnerability stems from the manufacturer's decision to implement a hardcoded private key and certificate across all devices of this model, creating a universal cryptographic identity that compromises the fundamental security assumptions of SSL/TLS protocols. The flaw violates industry best practices for cryptographic key management and certificate distribution, as each device should possess unique credentials to maintain the integrity of the authentication process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by leveraging the shared private key to decrypt SSL traffic between clients and the router. When an attacker intercepts SSL communications, they can utilize the identical private key present on every WRT54G device to decrypt sensitive information transmitted over secure connections. This weakness specifically targets the SSL/TLS handshake process where the router's certificate is used for authentication, enabling attackers to impersonate the device and access confidential data including login credentials, personal information, and potentially network traffic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that SSL/TLS protocols establish for secure communications. Network administrators who rely on SSL encryption for protecting sensitive data may unknowingly expose their networks to attackers who can decrypt communications without requiring additional authentication or specialized tools. This vulnerability affects not only the router's own communications but also any client devices that trust the router's certificate for secure connections, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to network resources.
The vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of security principles outlined in the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog, specifically CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses and improper key handling. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1046 (Network Service Scanning) and T1071.001 (Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols) as attackers can leverage the compromised SSL implementation to conduct network reconnaissance and establish unauthorized access. The flaw also aligns with T1566 (Phishing) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) since attackers can exploit the compromised router to redirect traffic or intercept communications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected organizations, including the replacement of all affected routers with models that implement unique cryptographic identities for each device. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that may indicate SSL decryption attempts. The implementation of certificate pinning and regular certificate rotation policies would prevent similar issues in future deployments. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit the impact of compromised devices and implement alternative authentication mechanisms that do not rely on the vulnerable SSL implementation. Regular security audits should verify that cryptographic keys and certificates are properly managed and that no devices use hardcoded credentials. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of unique cryptographic identities in network security infrastructure and the critical need for proper key management practices in embedded systems.