CVE-2025-43982 in NR500-EA
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2025
Shenzhen Tuoshi NR500-EA RG500UEAABxCOMSLICv3.4.2731.16.43 devices enable the SSH service by default. There is a hidden hard-coded root account that cannot be disabled in the GUI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-43982 affects Shenzhen Tuoshi NR500-EA RG500UEAABxCOMSLICv3.4.2731.16.43 network devices where the SSH service operates with a default configuration that enables remote access. This represents a significant security weakness in network infrastructure equipment where administrative access is granted through a protocol that is inherently susceptible to brute force attacks and credential theft. The device configuration fails to properly secure the administrative interface by enabling persistent access mechanisms that bypass normal user authentication procedures. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software systems, and demonstrates a critical failure in secure configuration management practices.
The technical flaw manifests through the presence of a hidden hard-coded root account that exists within the device firmware and cannot be removed or disabled through the graphical user interface. This hard-coded credential represents a persistent backdoor mechanism that allows unauthorized access to the device's administrative functions regardless of normal authentication procedures. The inability to disable this account through standard management interfaces indicates a design flaw in the device's security architecture, where administrative controls are bypassed by hardcoded system parameters. The vulnerability directly violates security best practices as outlined in the NIST SP 800-53 security controls, specifically addressing the need for secure configuration management and the prevention of unauthorized access to privileged accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete device compromise and potential network infiltration. An attacker who discovers the hard-coded credentials gains root-level privileges to manipulate network configurations, modify firewall rules, install malicious software, and potentially use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the device is physically replaced or the firmware is updated to remove the hard-coded account. The default enablement of SSH service without requiring explicit user configuration further compounds the risk, as it provides immediate access to the device's administrative interface without any additional security barriers.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate action to address the hardcoded credential issue and implement proper access controls. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network segments, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for SSH access attempts, and ensuring that all devices are updated with firmware patches that remove the hard-coded accounts. The remediation process should include verifying that no other hardcoded credentials exist within the device firmware and implementing strict access controls through network access control lists and firewall rules. Additionally, the device should be reconfigured to disable unnecessary services and ensure that SSH access is only permitted from trusted network segments. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure software development practices and proper configuration management as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and persistence tactics, emphasizing that default configurations should never include hard-coded credentials that cannot be removed through standard administrative procedures.