CVE-2020-29059 in 72408A
Summary
by MITRE • 11/25/2020
An issue was discovered on CDATA 72408A, 9008A, 9016A, 92408A, 92416A, 9288, 97016, 97024P, 97028P, 97042P, 97084P, 97168P, FD1002S, FD1104, FD1104B, FD1104S, FD1104SN, FD1108S, FD1204S-R2, FD1204SN, FD1204SN-R2, FD1208S-R2, FD1216S-R1, FD1608GS, FD1608SN, FD1616GS, FD1616SN, and FD8000 devices. There is a default panger123 password for the suma123 account for certain old firmware.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2020
This vulnerability affects a range of industrial networking and communication devices manufactured by CDATA, specifically models including 72408A, 9008A, 9016A, and numerous others listed in the CVE. The issue stems from weak default authentication credentials that persist across multiple device generations, creating a significant security risk for industrial control systems and network infrastructure. The vulnerability is classified as a credential weakness that allows unauthorized access to device management interfaces, representing a fundamental failure in secure device provisioning and default configuration management practices.
The technical flaw manifests through the presence of a hardcoded default password "panger123" associated with the account "suma123" in older firmware versions of these industrial devices. This default credential configuration violates security best practices established in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-123 and CWE-798, which specifically address the dangers of hardcoded credentials in embedded systems. The vulnerability exists across multiple device families and firmware versions, indicating a systemic issue in the manufacturer's security practices rather than an isolated incident. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain administrative access to device management interfaces, potentially compromising entire network segments controlled by these devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as these devices often serve critical roles in industrial environments including network communication, data processing, and control system integration. The presence of default credentials allows attackers to manipulate device configurations, potentially disrupting industrial processes, accessing sensitive operational data, or establishing persistent access points within industrial networks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1566.001 for Phishing, as it represents an exploitation of default credentials that can lead to broader network compromise. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where these devices are deployed without proper network segmentation or additional authentication layers.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate credential management through firmware updates from the manufacturer, which should be prioritized in accordance with NIST guidelines for vulnerability remediation. Organizations must conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure, implementing network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical systems. The implementation of robust access control policies, regular security audits, and continuous monitoring of device access logs should be enforced. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of secure device lifecycle management, including proper credential provisioning and the implementation of strong authentication mechanisms that comply with standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST SP 800-125 for industrial control systems security.