CVE-2014-2940 in Sailor 900
Summary
by MITRE
Cobham Sailor 900 and 6000 satellite terminals with firmware 1.08 MFHF and 2.11 VHF have hardcoded credentials for the administrator account, which allows attackers to obtain administrative control by leveraging physical access or terminal access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2024
The Cobham Sailor 900 and 6000 satellite terminals represent critical communication infrastructure used in maritime and remote terrestrial applications where reliable connectivity is essential for operations. These devices operate in environments where physical security may be limited, making them particularly vulnerable to attacks targeting their authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability identified in firmware versions 1.08 MFHF and 2.11 VHF stems from the implementation of hardcoded administrator credentials, a flaw that directly violates fundamental security principles and creates a persistent backdoor for unauthorized access.
This vulnerability manifests as a hardcoded administrative password embedded within the device firmware during the manufacturing process. The presence of such credentials represents a severe design flaw that allows any attacker with physical access to the terminal or network access to the device to gain full administrative privileges. The hardcoded nature of these credentials means they cannot be changed or updated through normal operational procedures, creating a permanent security risk that persists across device lifecycles. This flaw aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a classic example of poor secure coding practices in embedded systems development.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on these satellite communication terminals. Attackers with physical access can immediately escalate privileges and potentially compromise entire communication networks, especially in scenarios where multiple terminals are deployed across different locations. The vulnerability enables attackers to modify device configurations, access sensitive communication data, disable security features, or establish persistent access points for further exploitation. In maritime environments, this could lead to communication interception, navigation system compromise, or even operational disruption that could affect safety and mission-critical operations. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these devices often operate in isolated environments where traditional network security controls may be limited or absent.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from system administrators and security teams. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to the terminals, including secure enclosures, access controls, and monitoring systems. Organizations should also consider firmware updates if available from the vendor, though the hardcoded nature of the credentials suggests that complete remediation may require device replacement. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potential hardcoded credentials within the organization's infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials used for lateral movement, as attackers can leverage these hardcoded credentials to maintain persistent access to networked systems.