CVE-2008-4296 in Linksys WRT350N
Summary
by MITRE
The Cisco Linksys WRT350N with firmware 1.0.3.7 has "admin" as its default password for the "admin" account, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2017
The Cisco Linksys WRT350N wireless router represents a critical security vulnerability through its default administrative credentials configuration that significantly weakens network security posture. This device, when running firmware version 1.0.3.7, ships with a hardcoded administrative password of "admin" for the default "admin" account, creating an easily exploitable weakness that allows unauthorized remote access to network infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from poor security design practices where manufacturers fail to implement proper authentication mechanisms or enforce password complexity requirements for default accounts.
This configuration flaw falls under the category of weak authentication credentials and represents a direct violation of security best practices outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards. The vulnerability creates an immediate risk for remote attackers who can gain full administrative control over the router without requiring any specialized tools or advanced techniques. The default credential issue is classified as a CWE-798 weakness, specifically a hardcoded password vulnerability that persists across multiple device deployments and exposes networks to unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it allows attackers to manipulate network configurations, redirect traffic, install malicious firmware, and potentially use the compromised router as a pivot point for attacking internal network systems. Network administrators who fail to change default passwords face significant risks including data breaches, man-in-the-middle attacks, and complete network compromise. The vulnerability affects both enterprise and consumer deployments where default router configurations are never changed, creating widespread exposure across multiple network environments.
Mitigation strategies must include immediate password changes for all default administrative accounts, implementation of strong password policies, and regular security audits of network infrastructure. Organizations should deploy network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and establish procedures for firmware updates and security configuration reviews. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under credential access techniques, specifically T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers credential harvesting through various methods. Security professionals should implement network segmentation, disable unnecessary services, and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence to prevent exploitation of such default credential vulnerabilities in network infrastructure devices.