CVE-2017-2236 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Toshiba Home gateway models HEM-GW16A and HEM-GW26A with firmware versions HEM-GW16A-FW-V1.2.0 and earlier, and HEM-GW26A-FW-V1.2.0 and earlier respectively, have pre-set login credentials that can be exploited by malicious actors.

Understanding CVE-2017-2236

This CVE involves the use of hard-coded credentials in Toshiba Home gateway devices, potentially leading to unauthorized access and actions.

What is CVE-2017-2236?

The vulnerability in Toshiba Home gateway devices allows attackers to gain administrative access using pre-set login credentials, enabling them to carry out unauthorized activities on the affected devices.

The Impact of CVE-2017-2236

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to the device, leading to potential misuse of administrative privileges and compromise of the device's security.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-2236

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The affected Toshiba Home gateway models have hard-coded credentials, which malicious individuals can exploit to gain administrative access and perform unauthorized actions on the devices.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Toshiba Home gateway HEM-GW16A
Vendor: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
Firmware Version: HEM-GW16A-FW-V1.2.0 and earlier
Product: Toshiba Home gateway HEM-GW26A
Vendor: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
Firmware Version: HEM-GW26A-FW-V1.2.0 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage the hard-coded credentials present in the firmware of the affected devices to gain unauthorized access with administrative privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting against and addressing the CVE-2017-2236 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Change default passwords and implement strong, unique credentials for device access.
Regularly update firmware to patch known vulnerabilities and eliminate hard-coded credentials.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that may indicate unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Educate users on best practices for securing IoT devices and the importance of updating firmware.

Patching and Updates

Apply firmware updates provided by Toshiba to remove hard-coded credentials and enhance device security.