CVE-2019-7271 in Linear eMerge 50P
Summary
by MITRE
Nortek Linear eMerge 50P/5000P devices have Default Credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2023
The CVE-2019-7271 vulnerability affects Nortek Linear eMerge 50P and 5000P security devices, which are part of the industrial control systems and building automation market. These devices are commonly deployed in commercial and industrial environments for access control and security management purposes, making them critical infrastructure components that require robust authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from the device configuration where default administrative credentials are hardcoded and not changed by system administrators during deployment, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by unauthorized parties.
This flaw represents a fundamental authentication failure that aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software systems. The default credentials typically include well-known usernames and passwords such as admin/admin or user/password combinations that are widely documented in security databases and online resources. The vulnerability exists because the device manufacturers did not implement proper credential management during the initial setup process, nor did they enforce password complexity requirements or mandatory credential changes upon first boot. This design decision violates security best practices and creates an easily exploitable entry point for attackers who may have physical access to the device or network visibility.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant and multifaceted, particularly within environments where these devices are used for critical access control functions. An attacker who discovers or guesses the default credentials can gain full administrative access to the device, potentially enabling them to modify access control policies, add or remove users, disable security features, or even gain access to connected systems through the device's network interface. This access could lead to broader network compromise, especially if the device is connected to critical infrastructure or enterprise networks where it might serve as a gateway to other systems. The vulnerability also exposes organizations to potential insider threat scenarios, as the default credentials could be known to unauthorized personnel or discovered through social engineering attacks, making it a persistent risk that remains active until the device is properly secured.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 Valid Accounts for initial access and T1003 Credential Dumping if attackers can extract credentials from the device or associated systems. The attack surface extends beyond simple credential theft to include potential lateral movement within networks where these devices operate. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including changing default credentials during initial deployment, disabling unused network services, implementing network segmentation, and conducting regular security assessments to identify devices with default credentials. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management practices and the need for device manufacturers to implement proper authentication defaults that require explicit administrative action to configure rather than relying on insecure defaults. The incident also underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date device inventories and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar configuration weaknesses across industrial control systems and building automation networks.