CVE-2009-2271 in D100 Router
Summary
by MITRE
The Huawei D100 has (1) a certain default administrator password for the web interface, and does not force a password change; and has (2) a default password of admin for the admin account in the telnet interface; which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2271 affects Huawei D100 devices and represents a critical security weakness in device authentication mechanisms. This issue stems from the device's implementation of default credentials across multiple administrative interfaces, creating persistent security risks that significantly weaken the overall security posture. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software applications, making it particularly concerning for network infrastructure devices that require robust security controls.
The technical flaw manifests through two distinct but related authentication weaknesses within the Huawei D100 system. First, the web interface contains a default administrator password that remains unchanged after device installation, with no mandatory password change enforcement mechanism. This default credential allows unauthorized users to gain administrative access without any authentication challenges. Second, the telnet interface maintains a hardcoded default password of "admin" for the administrative account, which is easily discoverable through public documentation and security research. Both of these vulnerabilities exist without any form of user intervention or security policy enforcement, making them exploitable by anyone with network access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with persistent administrative privileges that can be leveraged for various malicious activities. According to ATT&CK framework category T1078, adversaries can use default credentials to establish persistent access to systems, while T1021.001 covers remote services exploitation through telnet protocols. The vulnerability enables attackers to modify device configurations, monitor network traffic, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The lack of mandatory password changes creates a permanent backdoor that remains active until manually addressed by the system administrator, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where device management is complex.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2271 require immediate administrative action to address the default credential issues. Network administrators must change all default passwords for both web and telnet interfaces to strong, unique credentials that follow security best practices. The implementation of mandatory password change policies should be enforced, and regular credential rotation procedures must be established. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to administrative interfaces, and telnet services should be disabled in favor of more secure protocols like SSH. Organizations should also implement continuous monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts and maintain up-to-date vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other network infrastructure devices. The remediation process should include comprehensive security training for administrators to prevent recurrence of such configuration errors in other network equipment.