CVE-2017-18371 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the TrueOnline distributed router, specifically the ZyXEL P660HN-T1A v2 TCLinux Fw #7.3.37.6 model, allows unauthorized access through default and hardcoded credentials.

Understanding CVE-2017-18371

This CVE identifies a security issue in the ZyXEL router distributed by TrueOnline due to default and hardcoded credentials.

What is CVE-2017-18371?

The TrueOnline distributed router, ZyXEL P660HN-T1A v2 TCLinux Fw #7.3.37.6, contains default and hardcoded credentials that can be exploited for unauthorized access and malicious activities.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18371

The hardcoded service accounts with default passwords can lead to unauthorized access to the router's web interface, enabling attackers to execute authenticated command injections and manipulate router configurations.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18371

This section provides technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The ZyXEL P660HN-T1A v2 TCLinux Fw #7.3.37.6 router distributed by TrueOnline has three user accounts with default passwords, including two hardcoded service accounts: one with the username 'true' and password 'true', and another with the username 'supervisor' and password 'zyad1234'. These accounts can be used for unauthorized access and malicious activities.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ZyXEL P660HN-T1A v2 TCLinux Fw #7.3.37.6
Vendor: TrueOnline
Versions: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the default and hardcoded credentials to gain unauthorized access to the router's web interface, execute authenticated command injections, and modify router settings for malicious purposes.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting against this vulnerability requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Change default passwords for all user accounts on the affected router.
Disable or restrict remote access to the router's web interface.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update router firmware to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong password policies and avoid using default credentials.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.
Educate users on secure practices to prevent unauthorized access.
Consider implementing multi-factor authentication for enhanced security.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the vendor's security advisories and updates to apply patches that address the hardcoded credentials issue.