CVE-2018-19879 in RTU9XX
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in /cgi-bin/luci on Teltonika RTU9XX (e.g., RUT950) R_31.04.89 before R_00.05.00.5 devices. The authentication functionality is not protected from automated tools used to make login attempts to the application. An anonymous attacker has the ability to make unlimited login attempts with an automated tool. This ability could lead to cracking a targeted user's password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2023
This vulnerability exists in the web-based management interface of Teltonika RTU9XX devices including models like the RUT950. The issue resides within the /cgi-bin/luci application which serves as the primary administrative portal for device configuration and monitoring. The device firmware versions prior to R_00.05.00.5 contain a critical flaw in their authentication mechanism that fails to implement proper rate limiting or account lockout policies. This allows malicious actors to conduct unlimited brute force attacks against the administrative login interface without any protective measures to prevent automated login attempts. The vulnerability represents a significant security weakness that directly violates security best practices for authentication systems and exposes the device to credential stuffing and password cracking attacks.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the absence of any defensive mechanisms against automated authentication attempts. The system lacks rate limiting controls that would typically be implemented to prevent rapid successive login attempts from the same source. This absence creates a pathway for attackers to utilize automated tools such as hydra, medusa, or custom scripts to systematically test password combinations against the administrative account. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in authentication mechanisms and aligns with CWE-307 - Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts. The lack of account lockout functionality or temporary IP blocking means that attackers can continue attempting to guess credentials indefinitely, significantly increasing their probability of success through dictionary or brute force attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with an unmitigated path to gain administrative access to critical network infrastructure devices. Once an attacker successfully compromises the administrative credentials, they can modify device configurations, install malicious firmware, redirect network traffic, or establish backdoors for persistent access. This level of access effectively compromises the entire network segment controlled by the device and potentially provides a foothold for lateral movement within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability directly maps to attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1110 - Brute Force and T1078 - Valid Accounts, as it enables unauthorized access through credential compromise. The affected devices serve as critical network gateways and industrial control points, making them attractive targets for both cybercriminals and nation-state actors.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates to the latest available versions that address this authentication weakness. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate these devices from critical internal systems and limit the potential impact of compromise. Additional protective measures include implementing network-based rate limiting at firewalls or network access control devices to restrict login attempts from specific IP ranges. The implementation of multi-factor authentication should be considered where possible, though this may not be feasible for all device models. Regular monitoring of authentication logs for suspicious activity patterns should be enabled to detect potential brute force attempts. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on unusual login patterns or automated authentication attempts targeting these specific devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper authentication design as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST guidelines for secure software development.