CVE-2015-7280 in WRT300N-DD
Summary
by MITRE
The web administration interface on ReadyNet WRT300N-DD devices with firmware 1.0.26 has a default password of admin for the admin account, which allows remote attackers to obtain administrative privileges by leveraging a LAN session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7280 affects ReadyNet WRT300N-DD wireless routers running firmware version 1.0.26, presenting a critical security weakness in the device's web administration interface. This flaw represents a classic default credential vulnerability that undermines the fundamental security posture of network infrastructure devices. The issue stems from the device's configuration where the administrative account retains the default password of "admin" without requiring password changes during initial setup or deployment. This configuration allows unauthorized users to gain full administrative control over the device with minimal effort, as the default credentials are widely known and documented within security communities. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web administration interface, which serves as the primary management entry point for configuring router settings, firewall rules, and network parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a LAN session, meaning that an attacker must be within the local network segment to leverage the default credentials. However, this limitation does not significantly reduce the threat level since local network access is often achievable through various attack vectors including wireless network exploitation, compromised devices within the network, or physical access to network infrastructure. The flaw resides in the device's authentication mechanism, where the system fails to enforce strong credential policies during device initialization. This weakness aligns with CWE-798, which categorizes the use of hard-coded credentials as a significant security risk, and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege where default administrative accounts remain unchanged and accessible. The vulnerability also connects to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as attackers can leverage these default credentials to establish persistent access to network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over the router's configuration and network traffic management capabilities. Once an attacker gains administrative privileges, they can modify firewall settings to allow malicious traffic, redirect DNS queries for man-in-the-middle attacks, disable security features, or establish backdoor access points. The compromised device becomes a potential pivot point for attacking other systems within the local network, enabling lateral movement and escalation of privileges. Network administrators lose visibility into their network's configuration as the attacker can modify logging settings or disable monitoring capabilities. This vulnerability also impacts the device's integrity and availability, as attackers can potentially cause denial of service by modifying critical routing parameters or disabling essential services. The default password configuration creates a persistent security weakness that remains exploitable until the device is physically accessed to change the credentials or until firmware updates are deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7280 require immediate action from network administrators to address the default credential issue. The primary remediation involves changing the default administrative password to a strong, unique credential that adheres to security best practices including minimum 12-character length with mixed character types. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit local network access to authorized personnel only, reducing the attack surface for this particular vulnerability. Regular firmware updates should be deployed to ensure devices receive security patches and configuration improvements from manufacturers. Network administrators should conduct regular security audits to identify and remediate similar default credential issues across all network infrastructure devices. Additional protective measures include disabling unused services, implementing network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts, and establishing secure remote access protocols that do not rely on default administrative accounts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of device lifecycle management and security configuration standards that mandate credential changes during initial deployment and regular security assessments. Organizations should implement policies that require security configuration reviews for all network devices and establish procedures for identifying and remediating default credential vulnerabilities across their entire infrastructure portfolio.