CVE-2024-35396 in CP900L
Summary
by MITRE • 05/24/2024
TOTOLINK CP900L v4.1.5cu.798_B20221228 was discovered to contain a hardcoded password for telnet in /web_cste/cgi-bin/product.ini, which allows attackers to log in as root.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-35396 represents a critical security flaw in TOTOLINK CP900L firmware version v4.1.5cu.798_B20221228 where a hardcoded password is embedded within the device configuration file. This issue falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms and specifically aligns with CWE-259, which addresses the use of hard-coded passwords or keys in security-critical applications. The hardcoded credential is stored in the /web_cste/cgi-bin/product.ini file, making it accessible to any attacker who can gain access to this specific configuration path. The vulnerability enables unauthorized remote access to the device with root privileges, fundamentally compromising the device's security posture and providing attackers with complete administrative control over the system.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates poor security practices in firmware development where developers embedded static authentication credentials directly into the software code rather than implementing proper dynamic authentication mechanisms. This approach violates fundamental security principles and creates a persistent backdoor that remains active regardless of password changes or system updates. The presence of the hardcoded root credentials in a publicly accessible configuration file means that any attacker with knowledge of the device's web interface structure can exploit this vulnerability without requiring additional reconnaissance or exploitation techniques. The telnet service, which is typically used for remote device management, becomes an entry point for attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the highest level of system privileges available.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to network infrastructure security as it allows attackers to gain complete control over the affected device. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially enable lateral movement within networks where such devices may serve as gateways or access points. Attackers can leverage this access to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to data exfiltration, network reconnaissance, installation of persistent backdoors, or using the compromised device as a launching point for attacks against other network segments. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify device configurations, disable security features, and potentially create unauthorized network connections that could facilitate further infiltration of the network environment.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and privilege escalation. The hardcoded password enables attackers to establish a foothold using legitimate administrative access methods, which can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Network defenders should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat that requires immediate remediation through firmware updates from the vendor. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to the latest firmware version that removes or properly randomizes the hardcoded credentials and implementing additional network segmentation measures to limit the potential impact of such compromises. Organizations should also conduct thorough network scans to identify all affected devices and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts to these vulnerable systems.