CVE-2014-9406 in Touchstone TG862G
Summary
by MITRE
ARRIS Touchstone TG862G/CT Telephony Gateway with firmware 7.6.59S.CT and earlier has a default password of password for the admin account, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via a request to home_loggedout.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2018
The CVE-2014-9406 vulnerability affects ARRIS Touchstone TG862G/CT Telephony Gateway devices running firmware version 7.6.59S.CT and earlier, representing a critical security weakness that exposes network infrastructure to unauthorized access. This vulnerability stems from a hardcoded default credential configuration that persists across device deployments, creating a persistent attack surface that adversaries can exploit without requiring advanced technical skills or specialized tools. The specific administrative account utilizes the default password "password" which is one of the most commonly known and easily guessable credentials in cybersecurity, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in unpatched environments.
The technical flaw manifests through the device's web interface authentication mechanism, specifically when processing requests to the home_loggedout.php endpoint. This endpoint serves as an entry point for administrative access and fails to properly validate or enforce strong authentication measures. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures by simply using the default administrative credentials, effectively granting full administrative control over the device. This flaw falls under the CWE-798 category of Using Hard-coded Credentials, which is classified as a high-risk vulnerability due to its inherent weakness in authentication design. The attack vector requires only network connectivity to the device and knowledge of the specific endpoint, making it extremely accessible to both skilled and unskilled attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables comprehensive control over the telecommunications gateway that serves as a critical network component. Attackers can manipulate network configurations, modify routing rules, intercept communications, and potentially use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the network services provided by the gateway, creating potential for data exfiltration, service disruption, and network reconnaissance activities. The weakness also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, particularly in the areas of identity management and access control, where proper authentication mechanisms should be implemented to prevent unauthorized access to network devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9406 must include immediate credential changes for all affected devices, with administrators replacing the default "password" credential with a strong, unique administrative password. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to unauthorized network segments. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular firmware updates and security audits, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, where such default credentials often serve as initial access vectors for more sophisticated attacks. Organizations should implement automated vulnerability scanning to identify and remediate similar hardcoded credential issues across their network infrastructure, following the security best practices established in ISO/IEC 27001 and the SANS Institute's Top 25 Software Errors that emphasize the proper implementation of authentication mechanisms and secure configuration management.