CVE-2015-7856 in OpenNMS
Summary
by MITRE
OpenNMS has a default password of rtc for the rtc account, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access by leveraging knowledge of the credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7856 affects OpenNMS, a widely used network management platform that provides monitoring and management capabilities for enterprise networks. This weakness represents a fundamental security flaw that significantly undermines the platform's integrity and confidentiality. The issue stems from the default configuration of the system where the rtc account is pre-configured with the password "rtc," creating a well-known credential that attackers can exploit without requiring additional reconnaissance or exploitation techniques. This vulnerability falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms and represents a classic example of hard-coded credentials that persist across deployments.
The technical flaw manifests as a default credential configuration that violates security best practices and industry standards such as those outlined in CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software. The rtc account, designed for runtime control and monitoring functions, becomes a prime target for unauthorized access when the default password remains unchanged after installation. This vulnerability enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to the OpenNMS system without requiring sophisticated exploitation methods or advanced knowledge of the system's internal architecture. The flaw exists at the configuration level rather than in the application code itself, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal effort for attackers to leverage this weakness.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides attackers with a direct pathway to compromise network management systems that are critical infrastructure components. Once an attacker gains access through the default credential, they can potentially escalate privileges, modify monitoring configurations, access sensitive network data, and disrupt network operations. The vulnerability affects organizations that deploy OpenNMS without properly securing the default accounts, creating a persistent risk that can remain undetected for extended periods. This weakness particularly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of network monitoring services, as unauthorized access could lead to complete system compromise. The attack surface expands significantly since OpenNMS typically requires network access to function properly, making it a prime target for remote exploitation.
Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures to address this vulnerability by changing the default password for the rtc account and ensuring that all default credentials are properly secured. Security configurations should include mandatory credential changes during initial setup and regular audits to verify that default accounts are either disabled or have strong, unique passwords. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that the rtc account has only necessary permissions for its intended function. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, highlighting the importance of proper account management and credential security in enterprise environments. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for default credentials as part of comprehensive security hygiene practices.