CVE-2015-8085 in AR Router
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei AR routers with software before V200R007C00SPC100; Quidway S9300 routers with software before V200R009C00; S12700 routers with software before V200R008C00SPC500; S9300, Quidway S5300, and S5300 routers with software before V200R007C00; and S5700 routers with software before V200R007C00SPC500 make it easier for remote authenticated administrators to obtain and decrypt passwords by leveraging selection of a reversible encryption algorithm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8085 affects multiple Huawei router models including AR, S9300, S12700, S5300, and S5700 series devices. This security flaw resides in the password management implementation of Huawei's networking equipment software versions prior to specific service pack releases. The issue stems from the use of reversible encryption algorithms for password storage, which creates a significant security risk for network administrators who rely on these devices for critical infrastructure protection. The vulnerability impacts both the configuration and management interfaces of these routers, potentially exposing sensitive authentication credentials to unauthorized parties.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the implementation of password encryption mechanisms within Huawei's router firmware. When administrators configure passwords for router access, the system employs encryption algorithms that are reversible, meaning that the original passwords can be decrypted from the stored encrypted values. This design choice violates fundamental security principles for credential storage and represents a weakness categorized under CWE-310 as "Cryptographic Issues." The vulnerability specifically affects the configuration management protocols and administrative interfaces that handle user authentication data, making it possible for authenticated attackers with access to the device to extract and decrypt passwords without requiring additional exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8085 extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical network infrastructure. Remote authenticated administrators who possess legitimate access credentials can leverage this vulnerability to obtain passwords for other administrative accounts, potentially escalating their privileges within the network. This weakness creates a pathway for lateral movement attacks and can enable persistent access to network resources. The vulnerability affects the core administrative functions of Huawei routers, which are essential for network management and security operations, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise and service provider environments where these devices form the backbone of network infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement remediation measures including upgrading to the patched software versions specified in Huawei's security advisories. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the appropriate service packs and firmware updates that address the reversible encryption implementation. Network administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of their router configurations to identify any exposed credentials and implement additional access controls. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1565.001 for credential dumping and represents a significant concern for organizations following security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, which emphasizes the importance of secure credential storage and access control measures. Regular security assessments and monitoring of network device configurations should be implemented to prevent exploitation of similar cryptographic weaknesses in other network infrastructure components.