CVE-2017-12709 in MRD-305-DIN
Summary
by MITRE
A Use of Hard-Coded Credentials 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 credentials, which could allow for unauthorized local low-privileged access to the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12709 represents a critical security flaw in industrial networking equipment manufactured by a specific vendor. This issue affects multiple device models including MRD-305-DIN, MRD-315, MRD-355, and MRD-455, all of which are legacy systems running firmware versions prior to 1.7.5.0. The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the improper implementation of authentication mechanisms where hardcoded credentials are embedded within the device firmware itself, creating a persistent security weakness that remains unchanged regardless of system updates or user configurations.
This use of hard-coded credentials creates a fundamental breach in the principle of least privilege and violates security best practices established by industry standards such as CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software systems. The vulnerability allows attackers with local access to exploit these predetermined credentials and gain unauthorized access to the device with low-privileged user permissions. From an operational security perspective, this represents a significant risk as it eliminates the possibility of account management or credential rotation, leaving devices permanently vulnerable to exploitation by anyone who discovers these hardcoded values.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with a foothold for further exploitation within industrial environments. The low-privileged access granted through these hardcoded credentials can serve as a stepping stone for attackers to escalate their privileges and potentially compromise entire network segments. According to ATT&CK framework category T1078, which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials, this vulnerability directly enables adversaries to leverage hardcoded credentials for persistent access to network resources. The presence of such credentials in firmware also means that even if network segmentation is properly implemented, local attackers can bypass these controls through the hardcoded authentication mechanism.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability particularly affects industrial control systems and network infrastructure devices where physical access may be more readily available than in traditional enterprise environments. The risk is compounded by the fact that these devices often operate in critical infrastructure environments where unauthorized access could lead to operational disruptions or safety hazards. Organizations should immediately implement firmware updates to version 1.7.5.0 or later to address this vulnerability, while also conducting thorough inventory assessments to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to minimize the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts, as the hardcoded credentials provide a persistent backdoor that remains active until firmware is properly updated.