CVE-2010-2468 in NetBox
Summary
by MITRE
The S2 Security NetBox 2.x and 3.x, as used in the Linear eMerge 50 and 5000 and the Sonitrol eAccess, uses a weak hash algorithm for storing the Administrator password, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to obtain privileged access by recovering the cleartext of this password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2468 affects the S2 Security NetBox software version 2.x and 3.x implementations found in security systems manufactured by Linear and Sonitrol. These systems include the Linear eMerge 50 and 5000 models as well as the Sonitrol eAccess platforms, which are widely deployed for access control and security management purposes. The flaw resides in the password storage mechanism where the system employs a weak cryptographic hash algorithm to secure administrator credentials, creating a significant security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the use of inadequate hashing algorithms that fail to provide sufficient entropy and computational complexity required for modern security standards. When administrators set passwords within these systems, the software applies a weak hash function to store the credentials rather than implementing robust cryptographic measures such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2 with sufficient iteration counts. This weak hashing approach allows attackers with access to the password database or hash files to employ various recovery techniques including rainbow table attacks, brute force methods, or specialized password recovery tools that can reverse the hashing process to obtain cleartext passwords.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential compromise, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of the entire access control infrastructure. An attacker who successfully recovers administrator passwords gains complete control over the security system, enabling unauthorized access to protected facilities, modification of access permissions, disabling of security features, and potential data exfiltration from the system. This vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and represents a critical weakness in authentication mechanisms that can lead to complete system compromise.
The threat landscape for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that it affects commercial security systems deployed in enterprise environments, government facilities, and critical infrastructure sectors where unauthorized access could result in significant financial loss, data breaches, and physical security compromises. Security professionals should note that this weakness exemplifies the ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves credential access through various methods including password recovery and hash cracking, making it a prime target for both internal and external attackers who seek to escalate privileges within security infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including mandatory password resets for all administrator accounts, implementation of stronger authentication mechanisms, and consideration of system replacement or upgrade to versions that utilize robust cryptographic hashing algorithms. The remediation strategy should also include network segmentation to limit access to security systems, regular security audits, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, system administrators should be educated on the importance of strong password policies and the risks associated with weak cryptographic implementations in security-critical applications.