CVE-2016-2331 in SL-1000 M2M Modular Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
The web interface on SysLINK SL-1000 Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Modular Gateway devices with firmware before 01A.8 has a default password, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2024
The CVE-2016-2331 vulnerability affects SysLINK SL-1000 M2M modular gateway devices, representing a critical security weakness in industrial IoT infrastructure. These devices serve as communication hubs for machine-to-machine networks, facilitating data exchange between industrial equipment and centralized monitoring systems. The vulnerability stems from the device's web interface configuration, which ships with a hardcoded default password that remains unchanged in firmware versions prior to 01A.8. This configuration creates an easily exploitable entry point for remote attackers who can leverage the predictable authentication credentials to gain unauthorized access to the device's management interface.
The technical flaw resides in the device's authentication mechanism, specifically the implementation of default credentials that are not properly disabled or changed during the initial setup process. This weakness aligns with CWE-798, which categorizes the use of hard-coded credentials as a significant security vulnerability. The default password configuration violates fundamental security principles by providing the same authentication credentials to all devices of the same model, making it trivial for attackers to enumerate valid credentials through automated scanning tools or by referencing publicly available device documentation. The unspecified attack vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through various network access points, including direct internet exposure or through compromised network segments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as these M2M gateways typically serve as critical infrastructure components within industrial environments. Attackers who successfully compromise these devices can potentially manipulate industrial control systems, disrupt network communications, or use the compromised gateway as a pivot point to target other systems within the industrial network. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or network position within the device's local network to perform the attack. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in operational technology environments where network segmentation may be inadequate. The presence of such a default credential creates a persistent threat vector that remains exploitable until the device firmware is updated to address the issue.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2331 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 01A.8 or later, which typically includes the removal or proper configuration of default credentials. Network administrators should implement strict access controls, including firewall rules that restrict access to the device's web interface to authorized IP addresses only. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts and unusual network behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security best practices for IoT device deployment, including immediate credential changes upon installation and regular security assessments. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies that isolate industrial devices from general corporate networks, reducing the potential impact of credential-based attacks. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure device provisioning processes and the dangers of default configurations that persist across device deployments, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through network reconnaissance.