CVE-2016-5816 in MRD-305-DIN
Summary
by MITRE
A Use of Hard-Coded Cryptographic Key issue was discovered in MRD-305-DIN versions older than 1.7.5.0, and MRD-315, MRD-355, MRD-455 versions older than 1.7.5.0. The device utilizes hard-coded private cryptographic keys that may allow an attacker to decrypt traffic from any other source.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5816 represents a critical weakness in several network security devices manufactured by a specific vendor, including models MRD-305-DIN, MRD-315, MRD-355, and MRD-455. These devices operate in environments where secure communication is paramount, yet they suffer from a fundamental design flaw that compromises their entire security posture. The issue manifests through the use of hard-coded cryptographic keys that are embedded directly into the device firmware during the manufacturing process, creating a persistent security risk that affects all instances of the vulnerable software versions.
This particular flaw falls under the category of cryptographic weakness as defined by CWE-326, which specifically addresses the use of weak or predictable cryptographic keys in security implementations. The hard-coded keys represent a severe deviation from established security best practices, as they eliminate the possibility of unique key generation for individual devices and create a scenario where compromising a single device's key material would potentially expose communications across an entire network. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks and decrypt sensitive traffic flowing through these devices, undermining the confidentiality guarantees that network security protocols are designed to provide.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the trust model that secure network communications rely upon. When attackers gain access to these hard-coded keys, they can decrypt traffic from any source passing through the affected devices, potentially accessing sensitive information such as authentication credentials, proprietary data, financial transactions, or personal information. The implications are particularly severe in industrial control systems or enterprise environments where these devices may be managing critical infrastructure communications. The vulnerability affects multiple device models across the same product line, suggesting that the flaw exists in the core firmware architecture rather than being isolated to a single model variant.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5816 require immediate attention from network administrators and security teams responsible for these affected devices. The most effective approach involves updating the firmware to versions that address the hard-coded key issue, specifically targeting the 1.7.5.0 releases and later. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventories of all affected devices to ensure complete remediation across their network infrastructure. Additionally, security teams should implement network monitoring to detect any suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following the principle of least privilege and avoiding hardcoded credentials in security implementations, as outlined in various security frameworks including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of compromised devices and establish robust key management practices for future deployments. This vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of proper cryptographic key management and the dangers of embedding sensitive security material directly into device firmware.