CVE-2014-3205 in BlackArmor NAS
Summary
by MITRE
backupmgt/pre_connect_check.php in Seagate BlackArmor NAS contains a hard-coded password of '!~@##$$%FREDESWWSED' for a backdoor user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3205 represents a critical security flaw in Seagate BlackArmor Network Attached Storage devices, specifically within the backupmgt/pre_connect_check.php component. This issue exposes a backdoor account with a hardcoded password that remains unchanged across all affected systems, creating an inherent weakness that undermines the fundamental security posture of the NAS appliance. The presence of such a persistent backdoor mechanism fundamentally violates security best practices and provides unauthorized access vectors that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring additional reconnaissance or credential cracking efforts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from poor secure coding practices where developers embedded a hardcoded credential directly within the application source code rather than implementing proper authentication mechanisms or secure credential management. This hardcoded password '!~@##$$%FREDESWWSED' serves as a universal access key that bypasses normal authentication procedures, allowing any attacker who discovers this credential to gain administrative access to the device. The flaw directly maps to CWE-798, which addresses the use of hardcoded credentials, and represents a classic example of insecure hardcoding that violates the principle of least privilege and secure configuration management. This vulnerability exists at the application level within the pre-connection check functionality, suggesting that the backdoor mechanism was designed for internal diagnostics or support purposes but was never properly secured or removed from production environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected NAS devices. Once compromised, attackers can manipulate stored data, modify system configurations, exfiltrate sensitive information, and potentially use the device as a pivot point for accessing other systems within the network. This backdoor access can remain undetected for extended periods, as it operates outside normal authentication logs and monitoring systems. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the NAS appliance and the data it stores, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of business operations. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials and default passwords, and represents a significant risk to organizations relying on these devices for data storage and backup operations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to protect their systems. The primary recommendation involves changing the default administrative password and removing or disabling the backdoor account entirely if possible. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate affected devices from critical network segments, and comprehensive monitoring should be deployed to detect any unauthorized access attempts. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software and ensure that firmware updates are applied to address the hardcoded credential issue. Additionally, implementing network access controls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper secure coding practices, regular security assessments, and the need for robust credential management policies to prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications and systems.