CVE-2024-7159 in A3600R
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2024
A vulnerability was found in TOTOLINK A3600R 4.1.2cu.5182_B20201102. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file /web_cste/cgi-bin/product.ini of the component Telnet Service. The manipulation leads to use of hard-coded password. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-272573 was assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7159 represents a critical security flaw in the TOTOLINK A3600R router firmware version 4.1.2cu.5182_B20201102, specifically within the Telnet service component. This issue resides in the processing of the product.ini configuration file located at /web_cste/cgi-bin/, where the device employs hard-coded credentials that can be exploited by unauthorized parties. The vulnerability has been assigned the identifier VDB-272573 and has been publicly disclosed, indicating that threat actors may already be leveraging this weakness in the wild. The absence of vendor response to early disclosure attempts suggests a potential lack of immediate remediation efforts, increasing the risk exposure for affected systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the implementation of hard-coded passwords within the router's Telnet service configuration. This flaw aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software systems, making it a prime target for attackers seeking unauthorized access to network infrastructure. When the Telnet service processes the product.ini file, it references these hardcoded credentials, which remain unchanged across deployments and are not properly secured or randomized during the device provisioning process. The presence of such credentials in the configuration file means that any attacker who can access the web interface or the specific file path can obtain legitimate administrative credentials without requiring additional authentication factors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of the entire network infrastructure. Once an attacker gains access through the Telnet service using the hard-coded credentials, they can assume full administrative control over the router, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, implement man-in-the-middle attacks, or establish persistent backdoors. This access level allows attackers to manipulate DNS settings, change firewall rules, disable security features, and potentially use the compromised router as a pivot point for attacking other devices within the local network. The vulnerability affects not just individual devices but can potentially impact entire enterprise or residential networks that rely on this specific router model for internet connectivity and network management.
Security mitigations for CVE-2024-7159 should prioritize immediate remediation through firmware updates from the vendor, although the lack of vendor response suggests that organizations may need to implement alternative protective measures. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the Telnet service ports, while disabling Telnet entirely and relying solely on SSH for remote administration. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive network scans to identify all affected devices and implement monitoring for unusual Telnet connection patterns or unauthorized configuration changes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper credential management practices and adherence to security best practices as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in the area of privilege escalation and persistence tactics. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar hard-coded credentials in other network infrastructure components, as this represents a common pattern in embedded systems and IoT devices that often lack proper credential rotation mechanisms.