CVE-2012-1838 in ELO GS24M switch
Summary
by MITRE
The web management interface on the LG-Nortel ELO GS24M switch allows remote attackers to bypass authentication, and consequently obtain cleartext credential and configuration information, via a direct request to a configuration web page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1838 affects the web management interface of the LG-Nortel ELO GS24M network switch, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that exposes sensitive system information. This vulnerability resides within the switch's web-based administrative interface, which is designed to provide network administrators with remote access to configure and manage switch settings. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to directly access configuration pages that should otherwise require valid authentication credentials, creating a significant security risk for network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the web interface implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting direct HTTP requests to specific configuration URLs without providing valid authentication tokens or credentials. This bypass occurs because the web application fails to properly validate session state or authentication status before serving sensitive configuration data. The vulnerability specifically affects the switch's web management interface, which typically operates on standard HTTP ports, making it accessible over the network without requiring physical access to the device. This flaw aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software applications, and demonstrates how weak session management can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for network administrators and organizations relying on the affected switch. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can obtain cleartext credentials, which may include administrative passwords, network configuration parameters, and potentially sensitive network topology information. This exposure enables attackers to gain full administrative control over the switch, allowing them to modify network settings, redirect traffic, implement man-in-the-middle attacks, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The cleartext nature of the credentials retrieved means that attackers can immediately use these credentials for unauthorized access to other network systems or services that may share similar authentication mechanisms, creating a potential escalation path within the network environment.
Organizations utilizing the LG-Nortel ELO GS24M switch should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including applying vendor-provided security patches or firmware updates that correct the authentication bypass issue. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit direct network access to management interfaces, while network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect suspicious access patterns to management ports. The implementation of network access control lists and firewall rules can help restrict access to the switch's web management interface to only trusted administrative workstations. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected network devices and ensure that all management interfaces employ proper authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure web application development practices and proper authentication implementation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering attacks that leverage weak authentication mechanisms. The affected switch models should be prioritized for immediate remediation, as the vulnerability provides attackers with a straightforward path to network compromise without requiring advanced exploitation techniques or physical access to the network infrastructure.