CVE-2024-8448 in GS-4210-24PL4C Hardware 2.0
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2024
Certain switch models from PLANET Technology have a hard-coded credential in the specific command-line interface, allowing remote attackers with regular privilege to log in with this credential and obtain a Linux root shell.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-8448 affects specific switch models manufactured by PLANET Technology, representing a critical security flaw in network infrastructure equipment. This issue stems from the presence of hard-coded credentials within the command-line interface of affected devices, creating a persistent backdoor that undermines the fundamental security posture of network switching equipment. The vulnerability exists in the authentication mechanism of these switches, where developers embedded default login credentials that remain unchanged across deployments, effectively providing unauthorized access to attackers who can exploit this weakness.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the inclusion of hardcoded administrative credentials directly within the switch firmware or software components. When attackers gain access to the command-line interface, they can utilize these predetermined credentials to authenticate and escalate their privileges from regular user level to root access. This privilege escalation pathway is particularly dangerous because it bypasses normal authentication procedures and allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with full system privileges. The root shell access obtained through this vulnerability enables attackers to modify system configurations, install malicious software, access sensitive network data, and potentially establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on PLANET switches for network operations. The ability to obtain root access remotely without requiring legitimate credentials or network access controls means that attackers can compromise network infrastructure from external positions, potentially leading to widespread network disruption, data breaches, or complete network takeover. The hard-coded nature of these credentials means that even after patches are applied, the vulnerability may persist in devices that have not been properly updated or reconfigured. This poses challenges for network administrators who must account for potentially compromised devices across their network infrastructure.
Network security frameworks such as CWE-259 and CWE-798 identify this vulnerability as a classic case of hardcoded credentials, which represents a fundamental flaw in secure coding practices and authentication design. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which describes legitimate credentials used for lateral movement, and T1059.004 which covers command and scripting interpreter for remote access. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including network segmentation to limit access to affected switches, disabling unnecessary services, and conducting thorough inventory assessments to identify all potentially vulnerable devices. Regular security audits and firmware updates should be implemented as part of ongoing security management practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future deployments. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure configuration management and the need for robust authentication mechanisms in network infrastructure devices to prevent unauthorized access and privilege escalation.