CVE-2007-2040 in Aironet
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Aironet 1000 Series and 1500 Series Lightweight Access Points before 3.2.185.0, and 4.0.x before 4.0.206.0, have a hard-coded password, which allows attackers with physical access to perform arbitrary actions on the device, aka Bug ID CSCsg15192.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2040 affects Cisco Aironet 1000 Series and 1500 Series Lightweight Access Points operating with firmware versions prior to 3.2.185.0 and 4.0.x versions before 4.0.206.0. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that stems from the inclusion of a hard-coded password within the device firmware, creating a persistent backdoor that can be exploited by unauthorized parties. The vulnerability specifically targets wireless access point devices that are commonly deployed in enterprise and corporate networking environments, making it particularly dangerous given the sensitive nature of wireless network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a hardcoded administrative password embedded within the firmware image of affected access points. This hard-coded credential allows an attacker with physical access to the device to authenticate and gain administrative privileges without requiring knowledge of legitimate user credentials. The flaw exists at the firmware level, making it particularly challenging to remediate since it requires a firmware update to address the underlying issue. The presence of such credentials in the device firmware violates fundamental security principles and represents a classic example of insecure coding practices where hardcoded secrets are not properly secured or managed.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations deploying Cisco Aironet access points in their wireless infrastructure. An attacker with physical access to the device can exploit this hard-coded password to perform arbitrary actions including modifying network configurations, accessing sensitive network data, disabling security features, or establishing persistent access points within the network. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as the attacker can potentially compromise the entire wireless network segment controlled by the affected access point. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers valid accounts through default credentials.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires only physical access to the device, making it particularly concerning for organizations that do not adequately secure their physical network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized control over wireless access points, potentially leading to man-in-the-middle attacks, network disruption, or further lateral movement within the network. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as physical security measures, device monitoring, and network segmentation to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. Remediation efforts must include firmware updates to versions that address the hardcoded password issue, along with comprehensive network assessments to identify potentially compromised devices. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure firmware development practices and proper credential management throughout the device lifecycle, emphasizing the need for regular security audits and vulnerability assessments in network infrastructure deployments.