CVE-2016-10305 in Apex
Summary
by MITRE
Trango Apex <= 2.1.1, ApexLynx < 2.0, ApexOrion < 2.0, ApexPlus <= 3.2.0, Giga <= 2.6.1, GigaLynx < 2.0, GigaOrion < 2.0, GigaPlus <= 3.2.3, GigaPro <= 1.4.1, StrataLink < 3.0, and StrataPro devices have a built-in, hidden root account, with a default password that was once stored in cleartext within a software update package on a Trango FTP server. This account is accessible via SSH and/or TELNET, and grants access to the underlying embedded UNIX OS on the device, allowing full control over it.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2019
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in multiple Trango network infrastructure devices including Apex, Giga, and Strata series products. The issue stems from the inclusion of a hidden root account with a hardcoded default password that was stored in cleartext within software update packages distributed through Trango's FTP server infrastructure. This design flaw violates fundamental security principles by providing unauthorized access vectors through well-known network protocols including SSH and TELNET. The vulnerability affects a wide range of embedded network devices that operate on underlying UNIX operating systems, making it particularly dangerous as it grants complete administrative control over the device's operating environment.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the deliberate inclusion of a backdoor account within the device firmware that remains active even after standard security configurations are applied. The default password being stored in cleartext within update packages creates a persistent exposure point that attackers can exploit without requiring advanced techniques or specialized tools. This approach directly contravenes security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, as it provides a predictable authentication mechanism that remains accessible across multiple device generations. The vulnerability exists at the credential management level, which maps to CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials) and CWE-259 (Use of Hard-coded Password) in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to gain full administrative access to affected devices without requiring any specialized knowledge of the device's internal workings. Once exploited, the attacker can manipulate network configurations, intercept traffic, install malicious software, or use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The embedded UNIX OS access provides complete control over system resources, file systems, and network interfaces, enabling attackers to establish persistent access or conduct reconnaissance activities. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise and industrial network environments where these devices are commonly deployed for wireless connectivity and network management purposes.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate device isolation and configuration changes to disable unnecessary network services. Organizations must implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices and ensure that only authorized personnel can reach them through secure channels. The most effective remediation involves updating all affected devices to versions that remove the hardcoded credentials and implement proper authentication mechanisms. Network administrators should also monitor for unauthorized access attempts and consider implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure software development practices and proper credential management as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's credential access tactics, specifically targeting the use of hardcoded credentials as a primary attack vector.