CVE-2015-6358 in Embedded Device
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple Cisco embedded devices use hardcoded X.509 certificates and SSH host keys embedded in the firmware, which allows remote attackers to defeat cryptographic protection mechanisms and conduct man-in-the-middle attacks by leveraging knowledge of these certificates and keys from another installation, aka Bug IDs CSCuw46610, CSCuw46620, CSCuw46637, CSCuw46654, CSCuw46665, CSCuw46672, CSCuw46677, CSCuw46682, CSCuw46705, CSCuw46716, CSCuw46979, CSCuw47005, CSCuw47028, CSCuw47040, CSCuw47048, CSCuw47061, CSCuw90860, CSCuw90869, CSCuw90875, CSCuw90881, CSCuw90899, and CSCuw90913.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2024
Cisco embedded devices suffer from a critical cryptographic vulnerability that stems from the inclusion of hardcoded X.509 certificates and SSH host keys within their firmware images. This fundamental flaw violates core security principles by embedding cryptographic material that should remain unique and secret, creating a universal attack vector across multiple device installations. The vulnerability affects numerous Cisco embedded products and is identified through multiple bug IDs that collectively demonstrate the widespread nature of this implementation flaw.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability operates through the exploitation of predictable cryptographic identifiers that remain constant across different device deployments. When devices are shipped with identical X.509 certificates and SSH host keys embedded in their firmware, any attacker who gains knowledge of these hardcoded credentials from one installation can immediately leverage them against other devices running the same firmware version. This creates a scenario where the cryptographic protection mechanisms designed to ensure device authenticity and secure communication are completely undermined, as the root of trust becomes compromised at the firmware level.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can completely bypass the intended security protections of secure communication channels. Attackers can establish fraudulent connections with target devices by presenting the hardcoded certificates, effectively impersonating legitimate systems and gaining unauthorized access to network communications. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft to potentially enabling full network compromise, as these devices often serve as critical infrastructure components with elevated privileges and access to sensitive network segments.
The vulnerability directly corresponds to CWE-311, which addresses the absence of encryption of sensitive data, and CWE-312, which covers the exposure of sensitive information through embedded credentials. Additionally, this weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically the use of credential dumping and the exploitation of hardcoded credentials to gain unauthorized access. Organizations face significant risk when these devices are deployed in environments where network security is paramount, as the hardcoded nature of these credentials makes them particularly difficult to detect and remediate without complete firmware replacement.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate firmware updates from Cisco that address the hardcoded credential issue through proper key generation and certificate management. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication layers and regularly audit their device inventories to identify affected systems. The fundamental requirement for addressing this vulnerability involves complete device replacement or firmware upgrade, as the hardcoded nature of the certificates makes partial remediation ineffective.