CVE-2023-30801 in qBittorrent
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
All versions of the qBittorrent client through 4.5.5 use default credentials when the web user interface is enabled. The administrator is not forced to change the default credentials. As of 4.5.5, this issue has not been fixed. A remote attacker can use the default credentials to authenticate and execute arbitrary operating system commands using the "external program" feature in the web user interface. This was reportedly exploited in the wild in March 2023.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2023
The qBittorrent client vulnerability CVE-2023-30801 represents a critical security flaw that affects all versions through 4.5.5, where the application fails to enforce mandatory credential changes upon enabling the web user interface. This vulnerability stems from the application's design philosophy that allows default administrative credentials to remain active without requiring explicit user intervention, creating a persistent attack surface that remains exploitable across multiple versions. The flaw directly violates security best practices and industry standards such as CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software applications, and CWE-312, which covers the exposure of sensitive information through improper credential handling. The vulnerability exists in the authentication mechanism of the web interface, where the system does not enforce a mandatory password change upon first access, leaving default credentials like admin/admin accessible to remote attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and directly enables remote code execution through the web interface's external program feature, which allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary operating system commands. Attackers can leverage this by first authenticating with the default credentials, then utilizing the external program functionality to execute malicious commands on the compromised system. This creates a complete compromise scenario where attackers can gain full control over the affected system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system modification, or further network infiltration. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal prerequisites - only network access to the web interface and knowledge of the default credentials. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials for lateral movement, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter for execution, making it a particularly dangerous exploit in the hands of adversaries.
The exploitation of this vulnerability in the wild during March 2023 demonstrates its real-world impact and the urgency of addressing such flaws in widely-used software applications. The fact that this issue remained unfixed through version 4.5.5 indicates a prolonged exposure period, during which countless users were potentially at risk. Security researchers have documented that this vulnerability allows attackers to perform actions such as installing malware, modifying system files, creating backdoors, or using the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other networked devices. The default credentials are typically well-known within the security community, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it reduces the attack complexity significantly. Organizations using qBittorrent for torrent management are particularly vulnerable if they have the web interface enabled, as this creates an easily exploitable entry point into their networks. The vulnerability also impacts organizations that may have automated systems or services relying on qBittorrent for file transfers, as these systems could be compromised without proper credential management.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate enforcement of credential changes upon enabling the web interface, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the web interface, and disabling the web interface entirely when not required. Users should also consider implementing additional authentication layers, such as IP whitelisting or reverse proxies with additional authentication mechanisms. The software developers should implement mandatory credential change requirements, enforce strong password policies, and provide clear warnings about the security implications of using default credentials. Organizations should also conduct regular security audits to identify and remediate similar issues in their software environments, ensuring that default configurations do not create exploitable security gaps. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure default configurations and mandatory credential management in client applications, particularly those with network-accessible interfaces that could be exploited for remote code execution.