CVE-2014-2951 in SnIP
Summary
by MITRE
Datum Systems SnIP on PSM-500 and PSM-4500 devices has a hardcoded password of admin for the admin account, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2951 affects Datum Systems SnIP firmware running on PSM-500 and PSM-4500 network security devices. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the fundamental authentication mechanisms of these industrial network protection systems. The issue stems from a hardcoded administrative password of "admin" that is embedded within the device firmware, creating a persistent backdoor that remains accessible regardless of network configuration or administrative password changes. This flaw directly violates security best practices and represents a significant weakness in the device's access control architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the inclusion of a hardcoded credential within the device firmware itself, making it impossible for administrators to modify or remove the password through standard configuration procedures. This hardcoded credential exists in the device's codebase and is accessible through various network interfaces that the SnIP system supports. Attackers can leverage this weakness through unspecified vectors that may include network reconnaissance, unauthenticated remote access attempts, or exploitation of network services that do not properly validate authentication credentials. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative account, providing attackers with full control over the device's configuration and network security policies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of networks protected by these devices. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can modify firewall rules, disable security features, redirect network traffic, and potentially establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. This represents a significant risk to industrial control systems and network security environments where these devices are deployed. The vulnerability affects devices that are typically used for network monitoring, intrusion detection, and security policy enforcement, making the compromise of these systems particularly dangerous for organizations relying on them for network protection.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including network segmentation to isolate affected devices, deployment of network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts, and immediate firmware updates when available from Datum Systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hardcoded passwords, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK tactics including initial access and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the hardcoded credentials to gain administrative access and then expand their foothold within the network. The presence of such hardcoded credentials also violates security standards established by frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001, which emphasize the importance of secure credential management and the elimination of default credentials in deployed systems.