CVE-2019-12549 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

WAGO devices 852-303, 852-1305, and 852-1505 have hardcoded private keys for their SSH daemon, posing a security risk.

Understanding CVE-2019-12549

These devices contain embedded private keys for SSH, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access.

What is CVE-2019-12549?

The devices mentioned have hardcoded private keys for their SSH daemon, allowing potential attackers to compromise the security of the system.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12549

The presence of hardcoded private keys can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and compromise of sensitive information stored on the affected devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12549

WAGO devices 852-303, 852-1305, and 852-1505 are affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The SSH host key's fingerprint matches the embedded private key for each corresponding SSH daemon, making it easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

WAGO 852-303 devices before FW06
WAGO 852-1305 devices before FW06
WAGO 852-1505 devices before FW03

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the hardcoded private keys to gain unauthorized access to the SSH daemon and potentially compromise the device.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to secure the affected devices and prevent unauthorized access.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the firmware of the WAGO devices to versions FW06 for 852-303 and 852-1305, and FW03 for 852-1505.
Change the SSH private keys to unique, secure ones.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms.
Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and address potential security gaps.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all WAGO devices are running the latest firmware versions to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access through hardcoded private keys.