CVE-2019-16638 in EG-2000
Summary
by MITRE • 07/16/2024
An issue was found on the Ruijie EG-2000 series gateway. An attacker can easily dump cleartext stored passwords in /data/config.text with simple XORs. This affects EG-2000SE EG_RGOS 11.1(1)B1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16638 represents a critical configuration flaw in Ruijie EG-2000 series gateways, specifically impacting the EG-2000SE model running EG_RGOS 11.1(1)B1 firmware version. This issue stems from inadequate cryptographic protection mechanisms within the device's configuration storage system, creating a significant security risk that allows unauthorized access to sensitive authentication credentials. The vulnerability manifests through the exposure of cleartext passwords stored in the /data/config.text file, which serves as a primary configuration repository for the device's network settings and administrative access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a straightforward XOR-based obfuscation mechanism that fails to provide meaningful cryptographic protection for stored credentials. The XOR operation, while simple to implement, offers no real security benefit when the XOR key remains static or predictable, making it trivial for attackers to reverse the process and recover the original cleartext passwords. This flaw falls under the category of weak cryptographic practices and improper data protection mechanisms, aligning with CWE-327 which addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of cryptographic security principles where basic obfuscation is mistaken for actual encryption, creating a false sense of security that leaves the system exposed to credential theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple password exposure, as it provides attackers with direct access to administrative credentials that can be used to compromise the entire network infrastructure. Once an attacker obtains these cleartext passwords, they can gain full administrative control over the gateway, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, establish backdoors, or conduct man-in-the-middle attacks against network traffic. This access point represents a critical compromise in network security posture, as the gateway serves as a primary network access control device that controls traffic flow and implements security policies. The vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of network communications, as exposed credentials can be leveraged to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to protected network segments.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the credential access and privilege escalation categories where attackers can exploit weak credential storage mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be accomplished through simple automated tools, making it attractive to both skilled attackers and automated exploitation frameworks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Ruijie, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and comprehensive credential rotation procedures. Additionally, network administrators should conduct thorough audits of all network devices to identify similar weak cryptographic implementations and ensure proper credential management practices are implemented across the entire network infrastructure.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper cryptographic implementation in network security devices and demonstrate how basic obfuscation techniques can create false security boundaries. This flaw serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust cryptographic practices in network infrastructure devices and the importance of regular security assessments to identify and remediate configuration vulnerabilities that could compromise entire network ecosystems. Organizations must prioritize the remediation of such vulnerabilities through proper firmware updates and implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts against vulnerable network devices.