CVE-2009-0621 in ACE 4710
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco ACE 4710 Application Control Engine Appliance before A1(8a) uses default (1) usernames and (2) passwords for (a) the administrator, (b) web management, and (c) device management, which makes it easier for remote attackers to perform configuration changes to the Device Manager and other components, or obtain operating-system access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2019
The Cisco ACE 4710 Application Control Engine Appliance represents a critical network security device designed to provide application delivery and load balancing services within enterprise environments. This appliance serves as a cornerstone for managing application traffic and ensuring high availability of critical business applications. However, the vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0621 fundamentally compromises the security posture of these devices through the implementation of default authentication credentials that remain unchanged in many deployments. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to A1(8a) and exposes three distinct management interfaces through default username and password combinations that persist across the administrator, web management, and device management components.
The technical flaw lies in the device's failure to enforce strong authentication mechanisms during the initial deployment phase. When administrators deploy the Cisco ACE 4710 appliance, they are presented with default credentials that are well-documented and easily accessible through various security databases and threat intelligence feeds. This default configuration creates a persistent security weakness where remote attackers can exploit these known credentials to gain unauthorized access to the appliance's management interfaces. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanisms of three critical subsystems: the administrator interface which provides full system control, the web management interface that allows graphical configuration changes, and the device management interface that handles underlying operating system access. This multi-layered exposure significantly increases the attack surface and provides attackers with multiple pathways to compromise the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform configuration changes that can severely disrupt network services and compromise the integrity of the application delivery infrastructure. Remote attackers with default credentials can modify device configurations, alter application delivery policies, and potentially redirect traffic to malicious destinations. The ability to obtain operating-system access through these default credentials transforms a network device vulnerability into a potential system compromise, allowing attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper control over the appliance's underlying operating system. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a classic example of poor security configuration that violates fundamental security principles. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where these appliances often sit at critical points in the network infrastructure, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or disrupt business operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from network administrators to address the default credential issue through comprehensive security configuration management. Organizations must implement mandatory credential change policies during initial deployment and establish robust authentication management procedures that enforce strong password requirements for all administrative accounts. The recommended remediation includes changing default usernames and passwords immediately upon device deployment and implementing multi-factor authentication where possible. Network segmentation and access control measures should be deployed to limit the exposure of management interfaces to only trusted administrative networks. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar configuration issues across the enterprise network infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following security best practices and the potential consequences of failing to properly configure network security devices, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's initial access techniques that emphasize credential compromise as a primary attack vector.