CVE-2013-0137 in R189 One-Net EAS
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of the Digital Alert Systems DASDEC EAS device before 2.0-2 and the Monroe Electronics R189 One-Net EAS device before 2.0-2 contains a known SSH private key, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain root access, and spoof alerts, via an SSH session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0137 represents a critical security flaw in emergency alert systems manufactured by Digital Alert Systems and Monroe Electronics. These devices are designed to handle emergency alert system communications and are widely deployed in critical infrastructure environments. The vulnerability stems from a hardcoded SSH private key embedded in the default device configuration, which creates a significant backdoor access mechanism that undermines the security posture of these critical systems. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles by providing unauthorized parties with predetermined credentials that bypass normal authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the inclusion of a well-known private key within the device firmware or configuration files, specifically within the SSH daemon configuration. This hardcoded key allows remote attackers to establish authenticated SSH sessions without requiring knowledge of user passwords or other legitimate authentication credentials. The flaw exists in both the DASDEC EAS device running firmware versions prior to 2.0-2 and the Monroe Electronics R189 One-Net EAS device before version 2.0-2, indicating a widespread issue affecting multiple vendors in the emergency alert system market. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-798 as the use of hard-coded credentials, which is a well-documented security weakness that has been consistently flagged as a critical risk in security frameworks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass the potential for complete system compromise and malicious alert spoofing. An attacker who exploits this vulnerability can gain root access to the device, enabling them to modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially manipulate emergency alert communications. The ability to spoof alerts represents a particularly dangerous aspect of this vulnerability, as it could allow adversaries to disseminate false emergency information, potentially causing public panic or interfering with legitimate emergency response operations. This compromise directly affects the integrity and reliability of emergency alert systems, which are critical for public safety and disaster response coordination.
Organizations and security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to the affected versions, network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments, and monitoring for unauthorized SSH access attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure configuration management and the need for regular security assessments of critical infrastructure devices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as credential access through hard-coded credentials and privilege escalation, demonstrating how default configurations can create persistent security weaknesses that require ongoing monitoring and remediation efforts. The incident underscores the critical need for vendors to implement proper key management practices and avoid embedding cryptographic material in production devices.