CVE-2018-12073 in EM4544
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Eminent EM4544 9.10 devices. The device does not require the user's current password to set a new one within the web interface. Therefore, it is possible to exploit this issue (e.g., in combination with a successful XSS, or at an unattended workstation) to change the admin password to an attacker-chosen value without knowing the current password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12073 affects Eminent EM4544 9.10 network devices, representing a critical authentication flaw that undermines the security posture of these embedded systems. This issue resides in the web-based administration interface where the device fails to implement proper password validation mechanisms, specifically the requirement for current password verification before allowing password changes. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and authentication flow control within the device's web management portal, creating a significant security weakness that can be exploited by unauthorized parties.
This vulnerability operates under the CWE-305 authentication bypass pattern, where the system fails to properly verify the identity of users attempting to modify critical security parameters. The technical implementation flaw allows for password modification without the prerequisite verification of the existing password, which violates fundamental security principles established in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-63B for authentication management. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significantly amplified when combined with other attack vectors, particularly cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that could enable attackers to execute malicious code within the victim's browser context, or when targeting unattended workstations where physical access is not required.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple password modification, as it provides attackers with persistent administrative access to the device without knowledge of existing credentials. This represents a serious compromise of the device's security model, potentially enabling attackers to modify network configurations, implement backdoors, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the device's confidentiality, integrity, and availability by allowing unauthorized users to assume administrative control, which can lead to complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within the network environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-12073 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from the vendor to address the authentication bypass flaw, while network administrators should implement additional security controls such as restricting web interface access to trusted IP ranges and enforcing strong access controls. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, highlighting the need for comprehensive monitoring of authentication events and password change activities. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such compromises, and establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar authentication weaknesses in other network infrastructure components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper authentication design principles and the necessity of implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to critical network devices.