CVE-2024-8459 in GS-4210-24PL4C Hardware 2.0
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2024
Certain switch models from PLANET Technology store SNMPv3 users' passwords in plaintext within the configuration files, allowing remote attackers with administrator privileges to read the file and obtain the credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-8459 affects specific switch models manufactured by PLANET Technology, representing a critical security flaw in network infrastructure devices. This issue stems from improper credential storage practices where SNMPv3 user passwords are maintained in plaintext format within configuration files rather than being properly hashed or encrypted. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices that utilize SNMPv3 for network management and monitoring purposes, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on these switches for their network operations.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the configuration file storage mechanism where administrative credentials are persisted in an unencrypted format. When network administrators configure SNMPv3 users on these switches, the system stores the password in plaintext within the device configuration files, making it accessible to any entity with sufficient privileges to read these files. This design flaw directly violates established security principles for credential storage and represents a classic example of insecure data handling practices that can be categorized under CWE-312. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only administrator-level access to exploit, meaning that a compromised administrative account or a malicious insider with appropriate privileges could immediately retrieve these plaintext credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-8459 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to network management interfaces and potentially compromise the entire network infrastructure. Once an attacker obtains the plaintext SNMPv3 credentials, they can perform various malicious activities including but not limited to network reconnaissance, configuration modifications, traffic interception, and privilege escalation within the network. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including credential access through file system access and privilege escalation through network service manipulation. The risk is amplified because SNMPv3 credentials often provide administrative access to network devices, potentially allowing attackers to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, or establish persistent access points within the network environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and enforcement of strict access control policies. The recommended approach involves updating affected devices to patched firmware versions provided by PLANET Technology, implementing network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts, and establishing automated credential rotation procedures. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other devices that might store credentials in similar insecure formats, as this represents a broader class of vulnerabilities related to improper credential handling. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network access control lists and disabling unnecessary SNMP services to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security best practices for credential management and highlights the critical need for proper configuration management in network infrastructure devices, particularly those handling sensitive network management protocols like SNMPv3.