CVE-2008-6588 in ADSL Router
Summary
by MITRE
Aztech ADSL2/2+ 4-port router has a default "isp" account with a default "isp" password, which allows remote attackers to obtain access if this default is not changed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2017
The CVE-2008-6588 vulnerability affects Aztech ADSL2/2+ 4-port routers that ship with default administrative credentials, creating a critical security risk for network infrastructure. This flaw represents a fundamental failure in secure configuration practices where manufacturers preconfigure devices with well-known default usernames and passwords that remain unchanged in most deployment scenarios. The vulnerability specifically targets the router's authentication mechanism, where the default account named "isp" utilizes the default password "isp" without requiring administrative intervention to modify these credentials during initial setup. This configuration pattern directly violates security best practices and industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines that emphasize the importance of changing default credentials as a fundamental security control.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to the router's management interface without requiring any specialized tools or advanced techniques. Attackers can simply connect to the router's web-based administration portal using the default credentials, thereby bypassing all security controls that would normally protect the device from unauthorized access. This remote access capability allows threat actors to perform a wide range of malicious activities including modifying network configurations, implementing man-in-the-middle attacks, redirecting traffic through malicious proxies, and potentially establishing persistent access points within the network. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple credential theft as it provides attackers with complete control over the router's functionality, including firewall settings, port forwarding rules, and DNS configuration changes that can compromise the entire network infrastructure.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations and individuals who deploy these routers without proper security hardening procedures. The default credential issue affects both enterprise and consumer networks, as many users fail to change these settings after initial installation, leaving their network infrastructure exposed to automated scanning attacks. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple router models and firmware versions means that even after initial deployment, the risk remains unless administrators actively implement configuration changes. This weakness particularly impacts networks where the router serves as a gateway to the internet, as attackers can leverage this access to conduct reconnaissance, launch attacks against internal network systems, or establish backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which describes legitimate credentials usage and CWE-798 which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, both of which represent common attack vectors in network security breaches.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6588 primarily focus on immediate credential changes and configuration hardening practices. Network administrators must ensure that all default administrative accounts are disabled or have their passwords changed to strong, unique credentials immediately upon device deployment. This remediation process should include implementing password policies that enforce complexity requirements and regular credential rotation schedules. Additional protective measures involve disabling unnecessary services, implementing network segmentation, and configuring proper access controls to limit management interface access to trusted network segments. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to the router management interface, while network administrators should consider implementing network access control lists to restrict access to router management ports from external networks. Organizations should also maintain updated inventories of all network devices and their default configurations to ensure comprehensive vulnerability management across their infrastructure. The vulnerability underscores the importance of device lifecycle management and the need for security awareness training to prevent the recurrence of such configuration errors that leave network infrastructure vulnerable to exploitation.