CVE-2016-10125 in DGS-1100
Summary
by MITRE
D-Link DGS-1100 devices with Rev.B firmware 1.01.018 have a hardcoded SSL private key, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof devices by hijacking an HTTPS session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10125 affects D-Link DGS-1100 series network switches running firmware version 1.01.018 or earlier on Rev.B hardware. This critical security flaw stems from the inclusion of a hardcoded SSL private key within the device firmware, a practice that fundamentally undermines the security of encrypted communications. The presence of such a static cryptographic key represents a severe deviation from security best practices and creates a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the embedding of a well-known private key directly into the device firmware during manufacturing. When network administrators configure HTTPS management interfaces on these switches, the system automatically employs this hardcoded private key for SSL/TLS encryption. Attackers who possess knowledge of this specific private key can perform man-in-the-middle attacks by intercepting HTTPS traffic between administrators and the switch management interface. This allows them to decrypt sensitive communication channels, potentially gaining access to administrative credentials, configuration data, and other confidential information transmitted through the secure channel.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to completely impersonate the affected network switches within the local network environment. This impersonation capability allows threat actors to establish false trust relationships with network management systems and other devices, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the device's management interface, making it impossible for administrators to trust the authenticity of HTTPS connections to these devices without implementing additional mitigations.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues including the use of weak or hardcoded cryptographic keys. The attack vector follows patterns consistent with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's network infiltration techniques, specifically targeting the credential access and defense evasion phases. The vulnerability's persistence across firmware versions and hardware revisions demonstrates a systemic security flaw in the device's design that affects multiple units within the same product line. Organizations relying on these switches for network management face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where network infrastructure security is paramount.
The recommended mitigations include immediate firmware updates from D-Link to address the hardcoded key issue, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces, and deployment of additional authentication mechanisms beyond the affected HTTPS interface. Network administrators should also consider disabling HTTPS management access where possible and implementing network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all D-Link DGS-1100 devices within their network infrastructure to ensure proper remediation and prevent exploitation of this persistent security flaw.