CVE-2010-0595 in Mediator Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Mediator Framework 1.5.1 before 1.5.1.build.14-eng, 2.2 before 2.2.1.dev.1, and 3.0 before 3.0.9.release.1 on the Cisco Network Building Mediator NBM-2400 and NBM-4800 and the Richards-Zeta Mediator 2500 has a default password for the administrative user account and unspecified other accounts, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain privileged access, aka Bug ID CSCtb83495.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-0595 affects multiple versions of Cisco Mediator Framework software running on specific network infrastructure devices including the Cisco Network Building Mediator NBM-2400 and NBM-4800 models along with the Richards-Zeta Mediator 2500 device. This security weakness represents a critical configuration flaw that undermines the fundamental security posture of these network appliances. The vulnerability stems from the implementation of default credentials that remain unchanged after device installation, creating an easily exploitable pathway for unauthorized access to administrative functions.
The technical flaw manifests as the presence of hardcoded default passwords for administrative user accounts within the Mediator Framework software implementation. This issue falls under the CWE-798 weakness category, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software applications. The vulnerability affects multiple software versions including 1.5.1 builds prior to 1.5.1.build.14-eng, 2.2 versions before 2.2.1.dev.1, and 3.0 versions before 3.0.9.release.1, indicating this was a persistent issue across several release cycles of the software platform. The default administrative credentials provide attackers with direct access to privileged functions without requiring additional exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized privileged access to network infrastructure devices. This represents a severe security risk because network building mediators serve as critical components in network infrastructure management and typically require elevated privileges for configuration and monitoring functions. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially modify network configurations, access sensitive network data, or establish persistent access points within the network environment. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the devices or network proximity to exploit this weakness.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers valid accounts with default passwords, and T1190 which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it provides attackers with potential for lateral movement within network segments and could serve as a foothold for more extensive network compromise. Organizations using these specific device models and software versions face heightened risk of network infiltration, especially when these devices are exposed to untrusted networks or internet-facing interfaces. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple generations of Cisco Mediator Framework software, suggesting that the root cause was not properly addressed in subsequent releases.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate credential management and configuration hardening. Organizations must ensure that default administrative accounts are disabled or have their passwords changed to strong, unique credentials immediately upon deployment. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate these devices from critical network segments, and regular security audits should verify that default credentials have not been retained. Additionally, implementing network access controls and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as changing default passwords, implementing principle of least privilege, and maintaining up-to-date security configurations as outlined in NIST SP 800-123 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for secure system administration.