CVE-2025-41380 in Iridium Certus 700
Summary
by MITRE • 05/23/2025
Iridium Certus 700 version 1.0.1 has an embedded credentials vulnerability in the code. This vulnerability allows a local user to retrieve the SSH hash string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-41380 affects the Iridium Certus 700 version 1.0.1 device, representing a critical embedded credentials flaw that compromises system security. This issue stems from improper handling of authentication credentials within the device firmware, specifically exposing SSH hash strings that should remain protected. The vulnerability resides in the embedded system's codebase where sensitive authentication data is hardcoded or improperly stored, creating an exploitable condition for local attackers. Such embedded credential vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous as they often provide persistent access to system resources without requiring additional authentication vectors.
The technical flaw manifests through the insecure storage or retrieval mechanisms within the Iridium Certus 700 firmware, allowing a local user to extract SSH hash strings that grant access to the device's secure shell interface. This represents a direct violation of security best practices for credential management and demonstrates poor implementation of access control measures. The vulnerability enables unauthorized local users to obtain authentication credentials that could be used for further system compromise or lateral movement within network environments where the device operates. From a cybersecurity perspective, this aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials, and represents a fundamental failure in secure coding practices. The exposure of SSH hash strings provides attackers with immediate access to privileged system interfaces, potentially enabling complete device compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it creates a persistent backdoor for attackers who gain local access to the device. Local users with minimal privileges can exploit this flaw to elevate their access level and gain control over the entire system. This vulnerability undermines the device's security posture and could lead to unauthorized data access, system manipulation, or use as a pivot point for attacking other networked devices. The implications are particularly severe in industrial control systems or network infrastructure where the Iridium Certus 700 might be deployed, as compromised devices can serve as entry points for broader network attacks. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials use, and T1566 which addresses credential harvesting through various attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-41380 must include immediate firmware updates from Iridium to address the embedded credential exposure. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit local access to affected devices and establish strict access controls for system administrators. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify hardcoded credentials and other embedded security flaws within network infrastructure devices. System administrators should disable unnecessary services and implement monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to SSH interfaces. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure development practices and proper credential management throughout the software development lifecycle, particularly in embedded systems where physical access may be easier to obtain. Additionally, implementing network access control lists and regular security audits can help detect and prevent exploitation of similar embedded credential vulnerabilities in other networked devices.