CVE-2026-59769 in FA-50
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2026
FA-50 all versions contain hard-coded credentials. An attacker, who knows the credentials and has access to the vessel's internal network, can operate the settings screen using that credentials to alter the identification number.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2026
The vulnerability identified in FA-50 systems across all software versions represents a critical failure in authentication security mechanisms, specifically categorized under CWE-798: Use of Hard-coded Credentials. This flaw stems from the practice of embedding static username and password pairs directly within the application code or configuration files rather than generating them dynamically during installation or allowing for secure user-defined credentials. The presence of such hard-coded secrets creates a persistent attack surface that remains unchanged regardless of system updates, patching cycles, or administrative actions taken by operators. This approach fundamentally violates core principles of information security regarding credential management and lifecycle control, as it prevents the revocation or rotation of access keys without requiring significant code refactoring or firmware re-flashing processes that may be operationally disruptive for industrial equipment like vessels.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows any individual with physical or logical access to the vessel's internal network to authenticate into the system using these known default credentials. Once authenticated, the attacker gains unauthorized administrative privileges sufficient to modify critical configuration parameters, most notably the identification number of the vessel. This capability poses severe risks related to asset tracking, regulatory compliance, and operational integrity. Altering the identification number can facilitate illicit activities such as ship identity masking for smuggling or piracy operations, disrupt maritime traffic management systems that rely on accurate Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, and complicate forensic investigations in the event of an incident by obscuring the true origin of the vessel. The ability to change this identifier effectively allows an attacker to impersonate a different legal entity within maritime communication networks.
The exploitation path for this vulnerability aligns with several tactics defined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly T1078: Valid Accounts and potentially T1562: Impair Defenses if the alteration of identification numbers is intended to evade detection or monitoring systems. An attacker leveraging this flaw would first need to establish a foothold on the internal network, which could be achieved through various means including physical access via onboard Wi-Fi, Ethernet ports exposed for maintenance, or lateral movement from compromised peripheral devices connected to the same subnet. Upon gaining connectivity, the adversary utilizes the hard-coded credentials to bypass standard authentication controls and interact with the settings interface. The modification of the identification number is a high-impact action that undermines trust in the system's integrity and can have cascading effects on external systems that depend on this data for safety and security protocols.
Mitigation strategies must address both the immediate technical flaw and broader architectural weaknesses. Immediately, manufacturers should issue firmware updates that remove all hard-coded credentials from the production build and enforce unique credential generation during initial setup or first boot processes. It is imperative to implement strong password policies requiring complexity and regular rotation for any administrative accounts remaining in the system. Furthermore, network segmentation strategies should be employed to isolate critical control systems like FA-50 from general-purpose networks where attackers might initially gain access. Access controls must be strictly enforced using role-based access control (RBAC) principles, ensuring that even if credentials are compromised, the scope of actions an attacker can perform is minimized through principle of least privilege. Regular security audits and penetration testing focused on authentication mechanisms will help identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in operational environments.