CVE-2025-52492 in Paxton10
Summary
by MITRE • 07/07/2025
A vulnerability has been discovered in the firmware of Paxton Paxton10 before 4.6 SR6. The firmware file, rootfs.tar.gz, contains hard-coded credentials for the Twilio API. A remote attacker who obtains a copy of the firmware can extract these credentials. This could allow the attacker to gain unauthorized access to the associated Twilio account, leading to information disclosure, potential service disruption, and unauthorized use of the Twilio services.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Paxton Paxton10 device firmware where hard-coded credentials for the Twilio API are embedded within the rootfs.tar.gz file. The presence of such credentials in firmware images violates fundamental security principles and creates a persistent exposure that remains active regardless of network segmentation or access controls. The vulnerability stems from poor secure coding practices and inadequate credential management during the development lifecycle, creating a situation where authentication secrets are permanently embedded in the device's software rather than being dynamically provisioned or securely stored. This flaw directly aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software systems, and represents a classic example of insecure credential storage that can be exploited by any attacker with access to the firmware image.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure to encompass significant risks for organizations relying on Paxton security solutions. Remote attackers who obtain the firmware through legitimate means such as firmware updates or reverse engineering can extract the Twilio API credentials and subsequently gain unauthorized access to the associated Twilio account. This access enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including sending SMS messages, making voice calls, and potentially accessing sensitive account information through the Twilio API. The implications include potential financial losses from unauthorized service usage, data exfiltration through messaging services, and service disruption that could affect legitimate users of the security system. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active even if network access is restricted, as the credentials are embedded within the device firmware itself.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1552.001 for credentials in files and T1071.004 for application layer protocols. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that firmware images are often distributed over networks and may be accessible to attackers through various means including network sniffing, device compromise, or legitimate firmware update channels. The exploitation process requires minimal technical skill since the credentials are readily available in the firmware file, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. Organizations using Paxton devices should consider the broader implications of credential exposure, as these Twilio credentials could potentially be used to enumerate other services or gain access to additional systems if the same credentials are reused across platforms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure firmware development practices and proper credential lifecycle management.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions 4.6 SR6 or later where the hard-coded credentials have been removed or properly secured. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual Twilio API activity that might indicate credential compromise, and consider implementing API rate limiting and usage monitoring to detect unauthorized access patterns. The device configuration should be reviewed to ensure that only necessary services are enabled and that any remaining credentials are properly rotated and managed through secure provisioning mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their security infrastructure to identify similar credential exposure issues in other devices or systems, as this pattern of hard-coded credentials often indicates broader security weaknesses in the development and deployment processes. Regular security audits of firmware images and development practices should be implemented to prevent similar issues from occurring in future releases, emphasizing the importance of secure development lifecycle practices and proper credential management protocols.