CVE-2020-15835 in MOFI4500-4GXeLTE
Summary
by MITRE • 02/01/2021
An issue was discovered on Mofi Network MOFI4500-4GXeLTE 4.1.5-std devices. The authentication function contains undocumented code that provides the ability to authenticate as root without knowing the actual root password. An adversary with the private key can remotely authenticate to the management interface as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-15835 affects Mofi Network MOFI4500-4GXeLTE 4.1.5-std devices, representing a critical authentication flaw that undermines the device's security posture. This issue stems from the presence of undocumented code within the authentication function, which creates an unauthorized access vector that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically allows an attacker to assume the root administrative role without possessing the legitimate root password, fundamentally compromising the device's access control framework.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves a backdoor mechanism embedded within the device's authentication system that operates independently of standard credential validation processes. This undocumented code path provides direct access to the root administrative interface, enabling remote exploitation by adversaries who possess only the private key associated with the device's management interface. The vulnerability's design suggests a deliberate inclusion of administrative access capabilities, likely intended for debugging or maintenance purposes but improperly secured for production environments.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to network security infrastructure, as it allows remote attackers to gain full administrative control over the affected devices. The ability to authenticate as root without knowledge of the actual password creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited for privilege escalation, data exfiltration, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter, significantly expanding the attack surface and reducing the effectiveness of traditional network security controls.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-254, which addresses security weaknesses in authentication mechanisms, and represents a classic example of insecure authentication implementation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and remote access capabilities, potentially enabling adversaries to establish persistent access and conduct advanced persistent threat operations. The presence of this backdoor also violates fundamental security principles including the principle of least privilege and defense in depth, as it creates an unauthorized access path that bypasses all normal security controls.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates from Mofi Network, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The private key associated with the management interface should be rotated and secured according to best practices for key management. Additionally, network administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential backdoors or undocumented code paths within their network infrastructure, particularly in industrial control systems and network appliances where similar vulnerabilities may exist.