CVE-2014-5334 in FreeNAS
Summary
by MITRE
FreeNAS before 9.3-M3 has a blank admin password, which allows remote attackers to gain root privileges by leveraging a WebGui login.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-5334 represents a critical authentication flaw in FreeNAS versions prior to 9.3-M3 that fundamentally compromises system security through a default credential configuration. This issue stems from the implementation of the WebGui interface where the administrator account was configured with a blank password, creating an inherent weakness that remote attackers could exploit without requiring any prior knowledge of valid credentials. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based management interface that administrators use to configure and manage FreeNAS systems, making it a prime target for exploitation due to its accessibility over network protocols.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and CWE-312, which covers the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of authentication credentials. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where the WebGui component fails to enforce proper authentication mechanisms for the root administrative account. Attackers can simply navigate to the login page and attempt to authenticate with the username "admin" and a blank password field, bypassing all authentication checks and immediately gaining full administrative control over the system. This type of vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure default configuration where security measures are not properly enforced during system initialization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows remote attackers to achieve complete system compromise without requiring any specialized tools or advanced exploitation techniques. Once an attacker gains access through this method, they can perform any administrative function including modifying system configurations, creating new user accounts, accessing stored data, installing malicious software, and potentially using the compromised system as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker does not need physical access to the system or any local network presence, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for networked storage systems that are often exposed to external networks. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1046 for Network Service Scanning, as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access and expand their control.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper password policies and authentication enforcement within the FreeNAS system. Organizations should upgrade to FreeNAS version 9.3-M3 or later where this issue has been addressed through proper credential management and enforcement of strong authentication requirements. System administrators must also implement additional security measures such as restricting access to the WebGui interface through firewall rules, implementing network segmentation, and enabling additional authentication mechanisms like two-factor authentication. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper credential management and the necessity of avoiding default configurations that could compromise system security, emphasizing the need for robust security practices in storage and network management systems.