CVE-2017-9522 in TC8717T
Summary
by MITRE
The Time Warner firmware on Technicolor TC8717T devices sets the default Wi-Fi passphrase to a combination of the SSID and BSSID, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain network access by reading a beacon frame.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2019
The CVE-2017-9522 vulnerability affects Technicolor TC8717T devices running Time Warner firmware, presenting a significant security risk through predictable Wi-Fi passphrase generation. This flaw stems from the device's default configuration where the Wi-Fi password is automatically derived from the combination of the Service Set Identifier and the Basic Service Set Identifier, creating a deterministic relationship between network discovery information and authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit the predictable nature of the passphrase generation mechanism. When a wireless device scans for available networks, it receives beacon frames containing the SSID and BSSID information. In affected devices, these identifiers are directly used to construct the default Wi-Fi password, eliminating the need for brute force attacks or other complex exploitation techniques. This approach violates fundamental security principles by creating a direct correlation between publicly available network information and private authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network access compromise, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to home and small office networks without requiring advanced technical skills or specialized tools. Network administrators and end users face increased risk of unauthorized network penetration, potential data exfiltration, and lateral movement within compromised networks. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of network communications, as attackers can establish persistent access points to intercept and manipulate traffic. This weakness particularly impacts environments where network security is assumed to be based on the secrecy of the password, creating a false sense of security.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-259: Use of Hard-coded Password and CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information, as it demonstrates poor credential management practices and exposes authentication mechanisms to predictable patterns. The attack vector can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1046: Network Service Scanning and T1075: Remote Services, as attackers can discover network information and then exploit the predictable password generation. The vulnerability also relates to NIST SP 800-53 controls CM-7 and SI-7, which address configuration management and information system monitoring, respectively.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from Technicolor or Time Warner to address the default passphrase generation issue. Network administrators must implement additional security controls such as changing default credentials, enabling WPA3 encryption where available, and deploying network monitoring solutions to detect unusual access patterns. The device should be configured to use strong, randomly generated passwords rather than deterministic combinations. Regular security assessments and network segmentation can help reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities, while network administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for beacon frame analysis and unauthorized access attempts.