CVE-2025-49599 in EG8141A5
Summary
by MITRE • 06/06/2025
Huawei EG8141A5 devices through V5R019C00S100, EG8145V5 devices through V5R019C00S100, and EG8145V5-V2 devices through V5R021C00S184 allow the Epuser account to disable ONT firewall functionality, e.g., to remove the default blocking of the SSH and TELNET TCP ports, aka HWNO-56Q3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-49599 affects Huawei EG8141A5, EG8145V5, and EG8145V5-V2 devices running specific firmware versions. This security flaw resides in the network management and firewall configuration capabilities of these optical network terminals. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Epuser account privileges, which are typically designated for limited administrative access but can be exploited to manipulate critical security functions. The affected devices operate under Huawei's V5R019C00S100 and V5R021C00S184 firmware versions, representing a significant concern for network infrastructure security. The issue allows an authenticated attacker with Epuser credentials to disable essential firewall protections that are designed to block unauthorized access to critical services.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient privilege controls and access restrictions within the device's firewall management interface. When the Epuser account executes specific commands or configuration changes, it can bypass normal security protocols that would otherwise maintain the default blocking of SSH and TELNET TCP ports. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege, where user accounts should only have access to functions necessary for their specific role. The underlying flaw likely involves improper input validation or insufficient authorization checks within the device's configuration management system. The vulnerability can be exploited through legitimate administrative interfaces that are accessible to the Epuser account, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal specialized knowledge to execute.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network access control issues. By disabling the default blocking of SSH and TELNET ports, attackers can gain unauthorized access to the device's management interfaces, potentially leading to complete device compromise. This vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors who obtain Epuser credentials through various means such as credential theft, social engineering, or brute force attacks. The default firewall protection mechanisms that are designed to prevent unauthorized access to critical network services become ineffective, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, install malicious software, or use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security architecture of the network infrastructure and can lead to widespread compromise of connected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-49599 should focus on immediate firmware updates from Huawei to address the specific privilege escalation issue. Organizations must implement strict access control measures, ensuring that Epuser accounts have the minimum necessary permissions and that administrative privileges are properly segregated. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized configuration changes to firewall settings. The implementation of multi-factor authentication for administrative access, along with regular credential rotation, can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all affected devices and establish monitoring protocols to detect when firewall rules are modified without proper authorization. According to CWE guidelines, this vulnerability relates to CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which emphasizes the need for proper privilege management and access restriction mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation tactic. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control policies that prevent unauthorized changes to firewall configurations and maintain detailed audit logs of all configuration modifications for forensic analysis and compliance purposes.