CVE-2014-8579 in TEW-823DRU
Summary
by MITRE
TRENDnet TEW-823DRU devices with firmware before 1.00b36 have a hardcoded password of kcodeskcodes for the root account, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via an FTP session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2019
The TRENDnet TEW-823DRU wireless router represents a critical security vulnerability through its implementation of a hardcoded administrative password that persists across multiple firmware versions prior to 1.00b36. This vulnerability falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms and directly violates fundamental security principles by embedding a predictable credential within the device firmware itself. The specific hardcoded password 'kcodeskcodes' for the root account creates an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to gain administrative control of the device without requiring any additional authentication factors or knowledge of legitimate user credentials.
The technical flaw manifests through the device's FTP service implementation where the hardcoded credential is accepted without proper authentication verification or account lockout mechanisms. This weakness enables attackers to establish FTP sessions with full administrative privileges, bypassing all normal authentication procedures and security controls. The vulnerability is classified as a hardcoded credential issue that maps to CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded passwords or keys in software. The flaw represents a design-level security failure where device manufacturers failed to implement proper credential management practices during the development lifecycle.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete network compromise and potential lateral movement within affected environments. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary commands, modify network configurations, install malicious software, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the device's integrity and availability, as attackers can modify firewall rules, disable security features, or redirect network traffic to malicious endpoints. This weakness directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1078 for valid accounts and T1021 for remote services, specifically targeting network device management interfaces.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including firmware updates to version 1.00b36 or later, which removes the hardcoded password and implements proper authentication mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized FTP access attempts, while administrative access should be restricted to trusted networks only. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper credential management and secure development practices, emphasizing that hardcoded credentials should never be present in production firmware releases. Regular security assessments and network scanning should be conducted to identify similar hardcoded credentials across all network infrastructure devices, as this represents a common pattern in embedded systems development where convenience overrides security considerations.