CVE-2017-3834 in Aironet 1830
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in Cisco Aironet 1830 Series and Cisco Aironet 1850 Series Access Points running Cisco Mobility Express Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to take complete control of an affected device. The vulnerability is due to the existence of default credentials for an affected device that is running Cisco Mobility Express Software, regardless of whether the device is configured as a master, subordinate, or standalone access point. An attacker who has layer 3 connectivity to an affected device could use Secure Shell (SSH) to log in to the device with elevated privileges. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to take complete control of the device. This vulnerability affects Cisco Aironet 1830 Series and Cisco Aironet 1850 Series Access Points that are running an 8.2.x release of Cisco Mobility Express Software prior to Release 8.2.111.0, regardless of whether the device is configured as a master, subordinate, or standalone access point. Release 8.2 was the first release of Cisco Mobility Express Software for next generation Cisco Aironet Access Points. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCva50691.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-3834 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco's wireless networking infrastructure, specifically affecting the Aironet 1830 and 1850 series access points running Mobility Express Software. This weakness stems from the inclusion of default credentials that persist across all device configurations, whether operating as master, subordinate, or standalone access points. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its remote exploitability without authentication requirements, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who may not fully understand the implications of default credential usage in enterprise wireless deployments. The affected software version 8.2.x, which marked the first release of Mobility Express Software for next generation access points, introduced this flaw that remained unpatched until release 8.2.111.0. This default credential issue directly aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software, and represents a fundamental security misconfiguration that undermines the integrity of the entire wireless network infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through Secure Shell (SSH) protocol access, where an attacker with Layer 3 connectivity can establish an authenticated session with elevated privileges on the affected device. This remote code execution capability enables complete device compromise, allowing attackers to manipulate wireless network configurations, intercept traffic, or use the compromised access point as a pivot point for further network infiltration. The attack vector does not require physical access or sophisticated network reconnaissance, as the default credentials are readily available and the SSH service is typically enabled by default on these devices. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the ability to modify network policies, change wireless settings, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. This exploitation method aligns with ATT&CK technique T1021.004, which covers remote services through secure shell, and demonstrates how default credentials can serve as a gateway for broader network compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3834 is severe for organizations relying on Cisco Mobility Express Software, as it effectively provides attackers with complete administrative control over wireless access points that serve as critical network entry points. Once compromised, these devices can be used to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, monitor wireless communications, or facilitate lateral movement throughout the network. The vulnerability's presence across all device configuration types means that network segmentation strategies based on access point roles may be ineffective against this particular threat. Organizations may experience unauthorized network access, data exfiltration, and potential service disruption if attackers choose to disable wireless services or modify network configurations. The attack's simplicity and remote nature make it particularly attractive to threat actors who seek low-effort, high-impact compromises of wireless infrastructure, potentially leading to widespread network infiltration when multiple devices are affected. This vulnerability represents a classic case of poor security hygiene in network infrastructure, where default configurations fail to meet minimum security requirements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3834 must include immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch to upgrade to Cisco Mobility Express Software Release 8.2.111.0 or later versions. Network administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices and ensure proper credential management practices are implemented, including immediate password changes for all default accounts. The remediation process should include disabling unnecessary services such as SSH if not required for management purposes, implementing network segmentation to limit Layer 3 connectivity to only authorized management networks, and establishing robust monitoring for unauthorized SSH access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control measures that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts, such as intrusion detection systems that monitor for default credential usage patterns. Regular security audits of network infrastructure should be conducted to identify and remediate similar default credential vulnerabilities across all network devices, aligning with security frameworks that emphasize the importance of least privilege access and proper configuration management. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for organizations to maintain current software inventories and implement automated patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.