CVE-2019-20471 in Q90 Junior GPS Horloge
Summary
by MITRE • 02/02/2021
An issue was discovered on TK-Star Q90 Junior GPS horloge 3.1042.9.8656 devices. When using the device at initial setup, a default password is used (123456) for administrative purposes. There is no prompt to change this password. Note that this password can be used in combination with CVE-2019-20470.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
The TK-Star Q90 Junior GPS horloge device represents a significant security vulnerability through its default administrative credentials implementation. This particular model running firmware version 3.1042.9.8656 demonstrates a critical weakness in authentication design where a hardcoded default password of 123456 is automatically configured during initial setup without any mandatory prompt for password change. The device fails to enforce proper credential management practices that are fundamental to secure system administration. This flaw directly violates security best practices and creates an entry point for unauthorized access that persists until manually addressed by the user.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate authentication controls within the device's initial configuration process. During the setup phase, the system automatically assigns the weak default password without requiring user intervention to establish a new administrative credential. This design flaw creates a persistent security risk where any individual with physical access to the device or knowledge of the default credential can gain administrative privileges. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and affects the device's authentication mechanism, making it particularly dangerous as it provides full administrative control over the device's configuration and operational parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it creates a persistent backdoor that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise. The default password of 123456 represents a well-known weak credential that is frequently tested in automated attacks, making the device particularly vulnerable to exploitation. When combined with CVE-2019-20470, which likely involves additional authentication bypass mechanisms, the security posture of the device becomes severely compromised. This combination of vulnerabilities creates a multi-layered attack vector that can result in complete device compromise, data exfiltration, and potential network infiltration through the compromised GPS horloge.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a clear violation of CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and CWE-312, which covers the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage. The device's failure to implement proper credential management aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which involves legitimate credentials used for unauthorized access. Organizations deploying such devices should immediately implement mitigation strategies including physical security controls, network segmentation, and regular security assessments. The recommended remediation involves either disabling administrative access or enforcing mandatory password changes during initial setup, though the most effective approach would be to implement strong authentication mechanisms that cannot be bypassed through default credentials. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure default configurations and the necessity of mandatory credential changes in IoT devices and embedded systems.