CVE-2012-1803 in ROS
Summary
by MITRE
RuggedCom Rugged Operating System (ROS) 3.10.x and earlier has a factory account with a password derived from the MAC Address field in the banner, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access by performing a calculation on this address value, and then establishing a (1) TELNET, (2) remote shell (aka rsh), or (3) serial-console session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1803 affects the RuggedCom Rugged Operating System version 3.10.x and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in industrial networking equipment. This vulnerability stems from the improper implementation of default authentication credentials within the system's factory configuration, creating a significant attack surface for remote adversaries. The issue specifically involves a factory account whose password is algorithmically derived from the device's MAC address, which is publicly accessible through network banners and other discovery mechanisms.
The technical flaw resides in the predictable password generation algorithm that uses the MAC address as a seed value for creating default credentials. This approach violates fundamental security principles by creating a deterministic password system where an attacker can calculate the password without any prior knowledge of the system's configuration. The MAC address is typically exposed in network banners, ARP responses, and other network discovery protocols, making it readily available to potential attackers. Once an attacker obtains this information, they can perform simple mathematical calculations to derive the corresponding password, thereby gaining unauthorized access to the device through multiple entry points including telnet, remote shell, or serial console sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows attackers to establish unauthorized access to industrial control systems without requiring additional reconnaissance or exploitation techniques. The ability to gain access through telnet sessions provides attackers with network-level privileges that can be escalated to full system control, while remote shell access enables command execution capabilities that could be leveraged for data exfiltration, system manipulation, or as a foothold for further network infiltration. Serial console access represents an additional attack vector that could be particularly dangerous in environments where physical security is compromised or where attackers have access to the device's physical interface. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-259 and CWE-798, which address weak password generation and the use of hard-coded credentials, respectively, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques including T1075 for legitimate credentials and T1021 for remote services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of strong, unique passwords for all factory accounts, disabling unnecessary services such as telnet and rsh, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to industrial devices. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive asset inventory reviews to identify all affected devices and ensure that default credentials are changed during initial deployment. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual login patterns and unauthorized access attempts, while regular security audits should verify that proper access controls are in place. The most effective long-term solution involves replacing the vulnerable system with a version that implements proper authentication mechanisms, including random password generation, multi-factor authentication, and secure credential management practices that align with industrial security standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-82 for industrial control systems and IEC 62443 for security in industrial automation and control systems.