CVE-2014-8656 in CG6640E Wireless Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
The Compal Broadband Networks (CBN) CH6640E and CG6640E Wireless Gateway 1.0 with firmware CH6640-3.5.11.7-NOSH have a default password of (1) admin for the admin account and (2) compalbn for the root account, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access to certain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2024
The CVE-2014-8656 vulnerability affects Compal Broadband Networks CBN CH6640E and CG6640E Wireless Gateway devices running firmware version CH6640-3.5.11.7-NOSH. This represents a critical authentication flaw that stems from the device's default credential configuration, creating an easily exploitable security weakness in consumer-grade networking equipment. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-798 as the use of hard-coded credentials, which directly violates fundamental security principles and creates persistent access points for unauthorized parties. The default administrative credentials consist of the username 'admin' with password 'admin' for the admin account and 'compalbn' for the root account, providing attackers with immediate elevated privileges to access sensitive system information and potentially compromise the entire network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to exploit unspecified vectors to obtain sensitive information from the gateway device. These wireless gateways serve as primary network access points for residential and small business environments, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking to establish persistent network footholds. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers can leverage these default credentials to map network topology and identify additional vulnerable devices. The presence of default passwords in network infrastructure devices creates a significant risk for man-in-the-middle attacks, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within compromised networks.
Security researchers have identified this vulnerability as particularly dangerous due to the widespread deployment of these gateway models in residential and small business environments where network security awareness is typically low. The default credential issue represents a common pattern in IoT and networking equipment where manufacturers prioritize ease of deployment over security configuration, leading to persistent exposure windows. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-798 emphasizes the critical nature of hard-coded credentials in network infrastructure devices, as these credentials remain unchanged throughout the device lifecycle unless manually updated by administrators. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient security configuration management practices can create persistent attack vectors that remain exploitable for extended periods, making it essential for network administrators to implement immediate remediation measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8656 should prioritize immediate credential changes for all affected devices, with administrators establishing strong, unique passwords for both admin and root accounts. Network segmentation and firewall configuration should be implemented to limit access to these devices from untrusted networks, while regular firmware updates should be scheduled to address potential future vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-123 for securing network devices, which emphasizes the need for proper configuration management and credential handling. Organizations should also implement network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and establish automated systems for identifying and remediating default credential configurations across their network infrastructure.