CVE-2015-7287 in DualCom GPRS CS2300-R
Summary
by MITRE
CSL DualCom GPRS CS2300-R devices with firmware 1.25 through 3.53 use the same 001984 default PIN across different customers' installations, which allows remote attackers to execute commands by leveraging knowledge of this PIN and including it in an SMS message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2024
The CVE-2015-7287 vulnerability affects CSL DualCom GPRS CS2300-R devices operating with firmware versions 1.25 through 3.53, presenting a critical security flaw that stems from the improper implementation of authentication mechanisms. This device is designed for industrial and commercial communication applications where secure remote management is essential, yet the manufacturers failed to adequately randomize or customize authentication credentials during the provisioning process. The vulnerability specifically manifests through the use of a hardcoded default PIN value of 001984 that remains consistent across all customer deployments, creating a universal attack vector that undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the device's operational framework.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a straightforward but highly effective method involving SMS-based command execution. Attackers who obtain knowledge of the default PIN can craft specially formatted SMS messages that include the hardcoded credential and subsequently execute arbitrary commands on the affected device. This represents a classic case of weak credential management where the default authentication mechanism provides no meaningful security boundary. The flaw falls under CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and demonstrates how default configurations can become attack vectors when they remain unchanged across multiple installations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote command execution without requiring physical access or sophisticated attack infrastructure, making it accessible to threat actors with minimal technical expertise.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7287 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential system compromise, data exfiltration, and disruption of critical communication services. In industrial environments where these devices may control essential infrastructure components, an attacker could potentially manipulate communication parameters, disable security features, or redirect traffic to malicious endpoints. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can target multiple installations simultaneously, as the same PIN works across all affected devices regardless of geographical location or customer deployment. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for spearphishing via social engineering, as the attack chain relies on exploiting a hardcoded credential to establish remote access and execute malicious commands. The lack of proper credential randomization creates a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by anyone who discovers the default PIN through publicly available information or social engineering efforts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to address the hardcoded credential issue through firmware updates that implement proper credential randomization and user-defined authentication mechanisms. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all affected devices and ensure that default credentials are changed immediately upon discovery. The implementation of network segmentation and monitoring controls becomes essential to detect unauthorized SMS-based command execution attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that authentication mechanisms are properly configured. Industry best practices recommend following NIST SP 800-53 guidelines for access control and authentication management, ensuring that default credentials are either changed during installation or disabled entirely. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the importance of credential management and the risks associated with default configurations, particularly in industrial control systems where such vulnerabilities can have cascading effects on operational technology infrastructure.