CVE-2018-10575 in AP100
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on WatchGuard AP100, AP102, and AP200 devices with firmware before 1.2.9.15. Hardcoded credentials exist for an unprivileged SSH account with a shell of /bin/false.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10575 represents a critical security flaw affecting WatchGuard wireless access point devices including models AP100, AP102, and AP200. This issue stems from the inclusion of hardcoded credentials within the device firmware, specifically for an unprivileged SSH account that has been configured with a restricted shell environment. The vulnerability exists in firmware versions prior to 1.2.9.15, indicating that devices running older firmware versions remain susceptible to exploitation. The presence of hardcoded credentials in network equipment constitutes a fundamental security weakness that violates established security principles and best practices for credential management. This flaw allows unauthorized individuals to gain access to network devices through a predetermined username and password combination that remains constant across all affected devices, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the embedding of static authentication credentials directly within the firmware image during the manufacturing process. These credentials are associated with an SSH account that has been deliberately configured with a restricted shell path of /bin/false, which prevents the account from executing interactive commands or accessing system resources beyond basic authentication. This restriction limits the potential impact of exploitation but does not eliminate the security risk entirely. The use of hardcoded credentials violates multiple security standards including those outlined in CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded passwords and credentials in software. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials used for lateral movement, as attackers can leverage these predetermined credentials to establish unauthorized access to network infrastructure. The shell restriction of /bin/false represents a mitigation attempt by the vendor but does not address the fundamental flaw of credential hardcoding that enables initial access.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-10575 extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it creates persistent security weaknesses that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise. Once an attacker discovers the hardcoded credentials, they can establish an SSH session with the affected devices, potentially enabling them to perform reconnaissance activities, monitor network traffic, or even modify device configurations. The fact that these credentials are hardcoded means that they cannot be changed by device administrators, leaving organizations with no recourse to modify the compromised authentication mechanism. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using WatchGuard wireless access points in enterprise environments where these devices serve as critical network infrastructure components. The presence of such hardcoded credentials in network equipment can lead to prolonged unauthorized access periods, as organizations may not be aware of the compromised credentials until an attack occurs, potentially allowing attackers to maintain persistent access to network resources.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement firmware updates to version 1.2.9.15 or later to address the hardcoded credential issue. Additionally, network administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and verify that firmware updates have been successfully deployed. The remediation process should include network segmentation to limit access to affected devices and monitoring for unauthorized SSH connections. Security teams should also implement continuous monitoring solutions to detect unusual authentication patterns or unauthorized access attempts to network devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure development practices and proper credential management in embedded systems, particularly in network infrastructure equipment. Organizations should establish robust firmware update policies and regularly review their network device configurations to ensure that hardcoded credentials do not exist in their infrastructure. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for vendors to implement proper authentication mechanisms and avoid hardcoding credentials in production devices, as such flaws can persist for extended periods and create significant security risks for affected organizations.