CVE-2015-6592 in UAP2105
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei UAP2105 before V300R012C00SPC160(BootRom) does not require authentication to the serial port or the VxWorks shell.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6592 affects Huawei UAP2105 wireless access points running firmware versions prior to V300R012C00SPC160 in their BootRom component. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes the device to unauthorized access through its serial port and VxWorks shell interfaces. The absence of authentication requirements creates an open pathway for attackers to gain direct system access without proper credentials, fundamentally compromising the device's security posture. This vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient authentication controls as defined by CWE-287, which specifically addresses authentication mechanisms that are either missing or improperly implemented.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows malicious actors to connect directly to the device's serial console or VxWorks shell without requiring any form of authentication. The serial port typically provides low-level access to the device's operating system, while the VxWorks shell offers command-line interface access to the embedded operating system. Both interfaces are critical attack vectors since they provide direct access to system commands, configuration files, and potentially sensitive data stored on the device. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the bootrom level, meaning the authentication bypass occurs during the earliest stages of system initialization, before any normal security mechanisms can be activated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. An attacker who gains access through the unauthenticated serial port or VxWorks shell can execute arbitrary commands, modify system configurations, install malicious software, or extract sensitive information from the device. This access level allows for complete system compromise, enabling attackers to establish persistent backdoors, modify network settings, or use the device as a launching point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability also poses risks to network integrity and confidentiality, as the compromised device can be used to monitor traffic, redirect connections, or serve as a pivot point for lateral movement attacks. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1078 for valid accounts, as the attacker can leverage the device's legitimate system access for unauthorized activities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including firmware updates to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability. The patch released in V300R012C00SPC160 includes proper authentication requirements for serial port and VxWorks shell access. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to these devices, and physical security measures should be enforced to prevent unauthorized physical access to the devices. Additionally, monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual activity on serial connections or shell access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of securing all access points to network infrastructure devices, as highlighted in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework's identify and protect functions. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar unauthenticated access points across the network infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control measures and disabling unnecessary services to minimize attack surface. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure default configurations and proper authentication mechanisms in embedded systems, particularly those operating at the bootrom level where traditional security controls may not yet be active.