CVE-2018-17767 in Telium 2
Summary
by MITRE
Ingenico Telium 2 POS terminals have hardcoded PPP credentials. This is fixed in Telium 2 SDK v9.32.03 patch N.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2020
The CVE-2018-17767 vulnerability affects Ingenico Telium 2 point of sale terminals, representing a critical security flaw in embedded systems that has significant implications for financial transaction security. These devices are widely deployed in retail environments worldwide and handle sensitive payment information, making them attractive targets for adversaries seeking unauthorized access to payment processing infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from the inclusion of hardcoded password authentication credentials within the terminal firmware, a practice that violates fundamental security principles and creates persistent attack vectors that cannot be easily remediated through standard configuration changes.
This technical flaw constitutes a classic case of hardcoded credentials within embedded systems, specifically manifesting as a weakness in the PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) authentication mechanism used for network communications. The presence of hardcoded credentials means that the same authentication parameters are embedded across multiple devices, creating a single point of failure that can be exploited by attackers who obtain physical access to the device or can intercept network communications. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-798, which categorizes the use of hardcoded credentials as a severe weakness in security design. The issue is particularly concerning because PPP credentials are typically used for establishing secure communication channels between the POS terminal and backend payment processing systems, making them critical for maintaining the integrity of financial transactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to payment processing networks and potentially intercept or manipulate transaction data. Attackers with access to the hardcoded credentials can establish unauthorized connections to payment processors, potentially leading to financial fraud, data breaches, and compromise of customer payment information. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of payment processing systems, as unauthorized access could result in transaction manipulation, data exfiltration, or service disruption. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control communications, as the compromised credentials could be used to establish persistent communication channels with malicious infrastructure.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires deployment of the Telium 2 SDK v9.32.03 patch N, which addresses the hardcoded credential issue through proper credential management and secure configuration practices. Organizations must implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected terminals receive the necessary updates, as the vulnerability cannot be resolved through configuration changes alone. The fix demonstrates the importance of proper software development lifecycle practices and secure coding standards, particularly in embedded systems where physical access to devices may be limited. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of avoiding hardcoded credentials in production systems and implementing proper credential management solutions that can be updated without requiring physical device intervention. The remediation process requires careful planning and execution to minimize disruption to payment processing operations while ensuring all vulnerable devices are properly updated and secured.