CVE-2015-2915 in Almond
Summary
by MITRE
Securifi Almond devices with firmware before AL1-R201EXP10-L304-W34 and Almond-2015 devices with firmware before AL2-R088M have a default password of admin for the admin account, which allows remote attackers to obtain web-management access by leveraging the ability to authenticate from the intranet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2024
The Securifi Almond devices represent a class of smart home networking appliances that suffered from a critical authentication vulnerability documented as CVE-2015-2915. This vulnerability specifically affected devices running firmware versions prior to AL1-R201EXP10-L304-W34 for Almond-1 devices and AL2-R088M for Almond-2015 devices. The flaw stems from a hardcoded default credential configuration where the administrative account was set with the password "admin," creating an easily exploitable security weakness that compromised device integrity and user privacy. The vulnerability operates under CWE-798, which classifies the use of hard-coded credentials as a significant security risk, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.1.001 for valid accounts and T1021.001 for remote services. The security implications extend beyond simple credential exposure, as the vulnerability allows remote attackers to gain web-management access to these devices, effectively providing them with administrative control over the network infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the device's web management interface, which accepts authentication from within the intranet network. Attackers leveraging this flaw can access the device's administrative panel without requiring any specialized tools or complex attack vectors. The default password configuration creates a persistent security weakness that remains exploitable until the device firmware is updated, as the administrative account remains unchanged across device deployments. This vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication mechanism of the device's web interface, where the lack of proper credential management and the use of predictable default values create an attack surface that can be readily exploited by threat actors with network access. The flaw represents a fundamental failure in secure configuration practices and demonstrates the dangers of default credentials in networked devices.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2915 extends beyond immediate unauthorized access, as compromised devices can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration attacks. Once attackers gain administrative access to these devices, they can modify network configurations, redirect traffic, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the same network segment. The vulnerability particularly affects home and small office networks where these devices are commonly deployed, potentially exposing users to data breaches, network disruption, or malicious activity. The attack vector requires only network connectivity and knowledge of the default credential, making it particularly dangerous for environments where physical security is not properly maintained. Organizations and individuals using these devices face significant risk of unauthorized network access and potential compromise of connected systems, with the attack surface expanding to include all devices that trust the compromised Almond device.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on firmware updates and credential management practices. Device owners should immediately update their Securifi Almond devices to the latest firmware versions that address the default password issue, with the specific versions mentioned in the vulnerability description serving as the minimum required updates. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to isolate IoT devices from critical systems and establish proper access controls for administrative interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure device provisioning and the necessity of changing default credentials during initial deployment, a practice that aligns with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-123 and ISO/IEC 27001 requirements for secure system configuration. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and establish regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their device inventory. The incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure-by-design principles and the necessity of proper credential management in networked devices.