CVE-2012-3014 in Magnum Managed Networks Software-6k Secure
Summary
by MITRE
The Management Software application in GarrettCom Magnum MNS-6K before 4.4.0, and 14.x before 14.4.0, has a hardcoded password for an administrative account, which allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3014 represents a critical security flaw in the GarrettCom Magnum MNS-6K management software across multiple versions. This issue stems from the inclusion of a hardcoded administrative password within the software configuration, creating a persistent security weakness that persists across different software releases. The vulnerability affects versions prior to 4.4.0 and 14.4.0, indicating that the hardcoded credential issue was not properly addressed in these software iterations. The presence of hardcoded credentials in network management software constitutes a fundamental security misconfiguration that undermines the integrity of the entire system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the embedding of a static password within the application code or configuration files, making it accessible to any user who can inspect the software components. This hardcoded credential allows local users to escalate their privileges without requiring legitimate authentication mechanisms. The unspecified vectors of exploitation suggest that the vulnerability could be triggered through various means including direct system access, software analysis, or through compromised local accounts that can leverage the hardcoded credentials to achieve administrative control. This flaw directly violates security best practices and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3014 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise. Local users who discover and exploit this hardcoded credential gain administrative access to the network management system, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, access sensitive data, or disable security features. This vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor within the system that remains active until the software is properly updated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local access controls are not strictly enforced. The implications are severe as it allows attackers with local system access to bypass all normal authentication procedures and assume complete administrative control over the network management functions.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software, and represents a clear violation of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework controls related to identity management and access control. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of hardcoded credentials as a method for gaining elevated system access. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement patch management procedures to update to versions 4.4.0 or 14.4.0, which contain the necessary fixes. Additional mitigations should include network segmentation, monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential hardcoded credentials within the organization's software inventory. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure software development practices and the necessity of regular security reviews to prevent such persistent security flaws from being introduced into production systems.