CVE-2024-36782 in CP300
Summary
by MITRE • 06/04/2024
TOTOLINK CP300 V2.0.4-B20201102 was discovered to contain a hardcoded password vulnerability in /etc/shadow.sample, which allows attackers to log in as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-36782 represents a critical security flaw in TOTOLINK CP300 V2.0.4-B20201102 devices where a hardcoded password is embedded within the system configuration files. This particular weakness manifests in the /etc/shadow.sample file which contains pre-defined authentication credentials that remain unchanged across deployments. The presence of such hardcoded credentials creates a persistent backdoor that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized administrative access to the device. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of hardcoded credentials as defined by CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded passwords or keys in software applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects network infrastructure devices that serve as gateways to broader network environments.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the device firmware containing static authentication parameters that are not dynamically generated or regularly updated during the device provisioning process. When the system initializes or during normal operation, these hardcoded credentials are referenced by the authentication subsystem, allowing any attacker who discovers the password to assume root privileges without requiring additional exploitation techniques. The vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in secure credential management practices and violates core security principles that emphasize the importance of unique, randomly generated authentication tokens for each deployment. This weakness enables attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms entirely and gain full administrative control over the affected device.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-36782 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Once an attacker gains root access through the hardcoded credentials, they can modify network configurations, install malicious software, monitor network traffic, and potentially use the device as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network. This vulnerability directly maps to tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as attackers can leverage the hardcoded credentials to establish persistent access without requiring complex social engineering or advanced exploitation techniques. The device's role as a network gateway makes it particularly valuable to adversaries, as it provides a strategic position to monitor and manipulate network communications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Organizations should immediately disable or remove the hardcoded credentials from affected devices and implement dynamic credential generation during device provisioning. The most effective immediate response involves replacing the hardcoded password with a randomly generated root password and ensuring that all authentication credentials are unique per deployment. Security practitioners should also conduct comprehensive network scans to identify all affected TOTOLINK CP300 devices and implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, firmware updates from TOTOLINK should be applied as soon as they become available, though the vulnerability may persist in unpatched systems. The remediation process should include verifying that no other hardcoded credentials exist in similar configuration files and implementing regular security audits to detect potential backdoors or hardcoded secrets in network infrastructure devices.