CVE-2012-2441 in ROS
Summary
by MITRE
RuggedCom Rugged Operating System (ROS) before 3.3 has a factory account with a password derived from the MAC Address field in a banner, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access by performing a calculation on this address value, and then establishing a (1) SSH or (2) HTTPS session, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-1803.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-2441 affects the RuggedCom Rugged Operating System version 3.2 and earlier, representing a significant security weakness in industrial networking equipment. This flaw stems from the system's implementation of factory default credentials that are inherently predictable and easily calculable by potential attackers. The vulnerability specifically resides in how the operating system generates default passwords, which are derived from the device's MAC address field present in network banners. This design decision fundamentally undermines the security posture of the affected devices, as MAC addresses are typically exposed through network discovery protocols and can be readily obtained by unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to perform mathematical calculations on the MAC address value to derive the default password. This process eliminates the need for brute force attacks or other time-consuming methods of credential discovery. Once the password is calculated, attackers can establish either SSH or HTTPS sessions to gain unauthorized access to the device. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the authentication mechanism at the most fundamental level, where default credentials are meant to be secure and non-guessable. The fact that these credentials are directly tied to a device's network identifier creates a predictable pattern that can be exploited across multiple devices in a network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with potential entry points for more sophisticated attacks. Once inside the system, attackers can manipulate network configurations, intercept communications, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-259 as a "Use of Hard-coded Password" and represents a direct violation of security best practices. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no specialized tools or extensive reconnaissance beyond basic network scanning to identify the MAC address and calculate the corresponding password. This makes the vulnerability exploitable by attackers with minimal technical expertise.
The implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers "Valid Accounts: SSH Keys" and T1078.002 which addresses "Valid Accounts: Default Accounts," as the compromised system effectively provides attackers with legitimate access credentials. Organizations deploying RuggedCom ROS devices must consider the broader security implications of this flaw, as it demonstrates poor security design principles in embedded industrial systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper credential management and the dangers of predictable default passwords in networked environments. Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates to version 3.3 or later, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to these devices, and regular security assessments to identify similar predictable credential patterns in other network equipment. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure default configurations and the necessity of avoiding predictable credential generation methods in industrial control systems and network infrastructure devices.