CVE-2015-7283 in NBG-418N
Summary
by MITRE
The web administration interface on ZyXEL NBG-418N devices with firmware 1.00(AADZ.3)C0 has a default password of 1234 for the admin account, which allows remote attackers to obtain administrative privileges by leveraging a LAN session.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2024
The CVE-2015-7283 vulnerability affects ZyXEL NBG-418N wireless routers running firmware version 1.00(AADZ.3)C0 and represents a critical security flaw in the device's web administration interface. This vulnerability stems from the improper configuration of default credentials, where the administrative account is hardcoded with the password "1234" which is widely known and easily exploitable. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to gain administrative privileges without requiring any authentication or specialized tools, making it highly accessible to malicious actors. The flaw exists within the device's network security architecture and demonstrates poor security implementation practices that violate fundamental principles of secure system design.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a LAN session, meaning that an attacker who can access the local network segment where the device resides can simply navigate to the web administration interface and use the default credentials to log in with full administrative privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-798 category of using hardcoded credentials, which is a well-documented weakness in software security where sensitive information such as passwords or keys are embedded directly into the application code or configuration files. The attack vector is classified as network-based with low complexity and requires no special privileges to execute, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with network access to the device's subnet.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations and individuals using affected ZyXEL devices. Once an attacker gains administrative access, they can completely compromise the device's functionality and potentially use it as a foothold for further attacks within the network. The attacker can modify router configurations, change network settings, implement malicious DNS redirection, monitor network traffic, or even establish backdoors for persistent access. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a fundamental failure in device security hardening. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as credential access through default credentials and privilege escalation, which are commonly used in initial access and lateral movement phases of cyber attacks. The impact extends beyond just the individual device, as compromised routers can serve as central points of attack for broader network infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability are straightforward but require immediate action from device administrators. The primary remediation involves changing the default administrative password to a strong, unique password that is not easily guessable or commonly used. Organizations should implement strict password policies that enforce complexity requirements and regular password rotation. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to critical network devices, and administrative interfaces should be restricted to specific IP addresses or network segments. Device firmware should be regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities, and network monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security configuration management and adherence to security best practices such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards, which emphasize the need for secure configuration of network devices and proper access control mechanisms. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar hardcoded credential issues across all network infrastructure devices.