CVE-2017-12574 in CS-W50HD
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on PLANEX CS-W50HD devices with firmware before 030720. A hardcoded credential "supervisor:dangerous" was injected into web authentication database "/.htpasswd" during booting process, which allows attackers to gain unauthorized access and control the device completely; the account can't be modified or deleted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12574 affects PLANEX CS-W50HD wireless devices running firmware versions prior to 030720, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the device's authentication mechanism. This issue stems from a hardcoded credential implementation that persists throughout the device's boot process, creating an inherent backdoor that remains exploitable regardless of subsequent configuration changes. The flaw manifests in the web authentication database located at the path "/.htpasswd" where the credentials "supervisor:dangerous" are automatically injected, establishing a persistent access vector that bypasses normal authentication procedures. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles by embedding administrative credentials within the device firmware itself, creating a permanent access point that cannot be removed or modified by authorized administrators.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of hard-coded credentials in embedded systems, which falls under CWE-798, specifically the use of hardcoded passwords in software components. The device's boot process automatically injects these credentials into the web authentication database, making the flaw particularly dangerous as it operates at the system level rather than through user-modifiable configuration files. The hardcoded nature of the credentials means that even if administrators attempt to modify or delete the account, the system will automatically restore the original credentials during the next boot cycle, rendering any administrative attempts to secure the device ineffective. This persistent backdoor allows attackers to gain complete administrative control over the device, enabling them to modify network settings, access sensitive data, and potentially use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected wireless devices, potentially enabling them to compromise entire network infrastructures. The persistent nature of the hardcoded credentials means that the vulnerability remains exploitable across device reboots, making it particularly dangerous for long-running network equipment. Attackers can leverage this access to perform various malicious activities including network monitoring, data exfiltration, and establishing persistent access points for further attacks. The inability to modify or delete the account creates a situation where even security-conscious administrators cannot remediate the vulnerability through standard administrative procedures, forcing them to either replace the device entirely or accept the permanent security risk. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials, and represents a significant compromise of the device's integrity and confidentiality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to upgrade the device firmware to version 030720 or later, which addresses the hardcoded credential issue through proper authentication implementation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure, as the vulnerability affects multiple units that may be deployed across different locations. The recommended approach involves implementing a firmware update policy that ensures all embedded devices receive timely security patches, particularly those with known hard-coded credentials. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts, while administrators should consider implementing additional authentication layers or network access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security teams must also evaluate their device procurement processes to ensure that embedded systems are evaluated for hard-coded credentials and other security vulnerabilities before deployment, as this vulnerability represents a failure in the device's security design that could affect similar products from the same manufacturer.