CVE-2013-4735 in R189 One-Net EAS
Summary
by MITRE
The Digital Alert Systems DASDEC EAS device before 2.0-2 and the Monroe Electronics R189 One-Net EAS device before 2.0-2 have a default password for an administrative account, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via an IP network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-4735 represents a critical security flaw in emergency alert systems manufactured by Digital Alert Systems and Monroe Electronics. These devices are designed to broadcast emergency alerts to the public through various communication channels, making their security paramount for public safety infrastructure. The affected systems include the Digital Alert Systems DASDEC EAS device and the Monroe Electronics R189 One-Net EAS device, both of which were vulnerable prior to specific firmware versions. This weakness stems from the implementation of default administrative credentials that remain unchanged in many deployments, creating an exploitable entry point for unauthorized individuals seeking to compromise these critical systems.
The technical flaw manifests as a hard-coded default password for administrative accounts within the networked emergency alert devices. This default credential configuration violates fundamental security principles and creates a persistent vulnerability that persists across device deployments. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-798 as the use of hard-coded credentials, which represents a well-documented weakness in software security design. Attackers can exploit this flaw by simply connecting to the device's IP network interface and attempting to authenticate with the default administrative credentials, bypassing any legitimate authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability's remote accessibility means that attackers do not require physical proximity to the devices, enabling exploitation from any location with network connectivity to the affected systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as these devices are integral components of emergency response infrastructure. An attacker who successfully compromises these systems could potentially disrupt emergency alert communications, modify alert content, or even prevent legitimate emergency notifications from being transmitted. This represents a significant risk to public safety and emergency response capabilities, as the devices are specifically designed to communicate critical information during emergencies. The vulnerability creates a pathway for malicious actors to potentially cause harm through disruption of emergency communications, which could have life-threatening consequences during actual emergency situations. Network-based attacks exploiting this weakness could occur at scale, affecting multiple devices across different geographical locations if default credentials are widely used.
Organizations and emergency management agencies should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability by changing default administrative passwords on all affected devices to strong, unique credentials. The remediation process should include comprehensive inventory management to identify all affected systems and ensure that default credentials are properly changed and secured. Security best practices recommend implementing network segmentation to isolate these devices from general network traffic, along with regular security audits to verify that default credentials have not been retained. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure-by-design principles and proper device configuration management, as outlined in cybersecurity frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the need for regular firmware updates and security assessments of critical infrastructure components, as specified in the ATT&CK framework's methodology for identifying and mitigating persistent security weaknesses in operational technology environments.