CVE-2018-6446 in Network Advisor
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in Brocade Network Advisor Version Before 14.3.1 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to log in to the JBoss Administration interface of an affected system using an undocumented user credentials and install additional JEE applications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6446 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Brocade Network Advisor software versions prior to 14.3.1. This weakness exposes systems to unauthorized remote access through a documented attack vector that leverages hardcoded credentials. The affected system operates a JBoss application server component that hosts the administration interface, creating a potential entry point for malicious actors seeking to compromise network infrastructure management systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the inclusion of default or undocumented user credentials within the software distribution that remain unchanged in vulnerable versions. These hardcoded credentials provide an unauthenticated attacker with direct access to the JBoss Administration console without requiring legitimate authentication. The flaw specifically affects the application server's security configuration where default administrative accounts are either not properly secured or not properly disabled during installation. This represents a classic case of poor credential management and insecure default configurations that aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in security-sensitive contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass full administrative control over the affected JBoss application server. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can install additional Java Enterprise Edition applications, potentially deploying malicious code that could compromise the entire network infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning because Brocade Network Advisor is designed for network management and monitoring, meaning the compromised system could provide attackers with visibility into network traffic, device configurations, and potentially enable further attacks against other network components. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1105 which addresses remote service commands.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be executed remotely without prior authentication. Attackers can leverage the hardcoded credentials to gain administrative privileges on the JBoss server, which then enables them to perform actions such as deploying web applications, modifying existing configurations, or accessing sensitive network management data. The persistence potential of this vulnerability is significant as the compromised administrative access allows attackers to maintain long-term control over the affected system. Organizations that fail to patch this vulnerability face risks including data exfiltration, network reconnaissance, and potential lateral movement throughout their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that network management systems typically contain sensitive operational data and serve as critical control points for network operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6446 require immediate implementation of software updates to Brocade Network Advisor version 14.3.1 or later, which addresses the hardcoded credential issue. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate management systems from production networks, enforce strict access controls, and conduct regular security assessments of network infrastructure components. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing strong network monitoring, and establishing robust credential management policies. The remediation process should include verification that default accounts have been disabled or have had their credentials changed to strong, unique passwords. Security teams should also implement continuous monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and maintain detailed logs of administrative activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing network access control lists to restrict access to management interfaces and ensure that only authorized personnel can access critical network infrastructure components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper security configuration management and the dangers associated with default credentials in enterprise network management systems.