CVE-2018-11062 in Integrated Data Protection Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
Integrated Data Protection Appliance versions 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2 contain undocumented accounts named 'support' and 'admin' that are protected with default passwords. These accounts have limited privileges and can access certain system files only. A malicious user with the knowledge of the default passwords may potentially log in to the system and gain read and write access to certain system files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2023
The Integrated Data Protection Appliance vulnerability CVE-2018-11062 represents a critical security flaw in versions 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2 that stems from the improper implementation of authentication mechanisms. This issue falls under the CWE-798 category of using hardcoded credentials, where default account credentials are embedded within the system configuration and remain unchanged after deployment. The presence of undocumented accounts named 'support' and 'admin' creates a hidden attack surface that bypasses normal authentication procedures and provides unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves hardcoded default passwords that are known to security researchers and malicious actors. These accounts exist in the system configuration without proper documentation or awareness among system administrators, creating a scenario where unauthorized individuals can exploit the system by simply knowing the default credential values. The accounts have limited privileges but still maintain read and write access to specific system files, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to manipulate or extract sensitive data. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security hygiene in software development practices where default credentials are not properly secured or removed during the installation process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data compromise and system integrity violations. Attackers who discover these default accounts can gain access to system configuration files, log data, and potentially sensitive information stored within the appliance. The limited privilege scope does not prevent attackers from performing malicious activities such as data exfiltration, system modification, or creating persistent access mechanisms. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials and T1566 which covers credential harvesting, as the default passwords serve as easily exploitable credentials that can be leveraged for further attacks.
Organizations using affected Integrated Data Protection Appliance versions should immediately implement remediation measures including changing default passwords, disabling unused accounts, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all system configurations. The recommended mitigation strategies align with NIST SP 800-123 guidelines for credential management and emphasize the importance of eliminating default accounts and credentials from production environments. System administrators must also implement regular vulnerability scanning procedures to identify similar hardcoded credentials in other systems and ensure proper access control policies are enforced. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices and configuration management protocols to prevent the introduction of hardcoded credentials into production systems.