CVE-2018-7800 in Parking
Summary
by MITRE
A Hard-coded Credentials vulnerability exists in EVLink Parking, v3.2.0-12_v1 and earlier, which could enable an attacker to gain access to the device.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2020
The CVE-2018-7800 vulnerability represents a critical hard-coded credentials flaw in EVLink Parking software version 3.2.0-12_v1 and earlier releases. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software applications. The vulnerability manifests when authentication credentials are embedded directly within the application source code or configuration files, making them easily discoverable by anyone with access to the software binaries. This weakness creates a fundamental security flaw that undermines the entire authentication mechanism of the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the presence of static username and password combinations that are hardcoded into the EVLink Parking application. These credentials are typically stored in configuration files, source code repositories, or embedded within the compiled binary itself. Attackers can exploit this by examining the application binaries, reverse engineering the software, or accessing exposed configuration files to extract the hard-coded authentication details. Once obtained, these credentials provide unauthorized access to the parking management system, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate parking data, access restricted functionalities, or even gain control over connected hardware components.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7800 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, creating significant risks for organizations relying on EVLink Parking systems. Attackers with access to the hard-coded credentials can perform persistent unauthorized access to the system, potentially leading to data breaches, manipulation of parking records, and disruption of services. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where parking systems integrate with broader IoT networks or payment processing systems, as it could serve as an initial foothold for lateral movement within the network. The impact is amplified by the fact that these credentials remain valid across system updates unless explicitly changed, making the vulnerability persistent and difficult to remediate without complete system reconfiguration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to address the hard-coded credentials issue. Organizations must first identify and replace all hard-coded credentials with dynamically generated or properly managed authentication mechanisms. This involves implementing proper credential management practices, including the use of environment variables, secure configuration management systems, and regular credential rotation policies. The remediation process should also include comprehensive code reviews to identify other potential hard-coded values that could pose similar risks. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of credential compromise. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as it represents a legitimate account with compromised credentials that can be used for persistent access. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper credential handling as outlined in security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001, which emphasize the need for secure authentication mechanisms and proper credential management throughout the software development lifecycle.