CVE-2017-12709 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

CVE-2017-12709, published on August 25, 2017, addresses a vulnerability in Westermo MRD-305-DIN, MRD-315, MRD-355, and MRD-455 devices due to the use of hard-coded credentials, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

Understanding CVE-2017-12709

This CVE entry highlights a security issue in certain Westermo devices that could allow unauthorized access at a local level with limited privileges.

What is CVE-2017-12709?

The vulnerability in versions of MRD-305-DIN, MRD-315, MRD-355, and MRD-455 prior to 1.7.5.0 stems from the utilization of hard-coded credentials, creating a risk of unauthorized access to the device.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12709

The presence of hard-coded credentials in the affected Westermo devices poses a security risk, potentially enabling unauthorized individuals to gain access to the device locally with restricted privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12709

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in versions of MRD-305-DIN, MRD-315, MRD-355, and MRD-455 older than 1.7.5.0, where hard-coded credentials are present, opening the door to unauthorized local access with limited privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Westermo MRD-305-DIN, MRD-315, MRD-355, and MRD-455
Versions Affected: Prior to 1.7.5.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the hard-coded credentials to gain unauthorized access to the affected devices at a local level, potentially compromising the security of the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-12709 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to version 1.7.5.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Change default credentials to unique, strong passwords.
Implement network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to patch security vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Westermo to address the hard-coded credentials issue and enhance device security.