CVE-2019-12941 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

AutoPi Wi-Fi/NB and 4G/LTE devices released before October 15, 2019 are vulnerable to brute-force or dictionary attacks, allowing unauthorized access to the WiFi network and root access to the device.

Understanding CVE-2019-12941

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in AutoPi Wi-Fi/NB and 4G/LTE devices that can be exploited by attackers.

What is CVE-2019-12941?

Attackers can exploit AutoPi Wi-Fi/NB and 4G/LTE devices released prior to October 15, 2019 by executing a brute-force or dictionary attack. This can lead to unauthorized access to the WiFi network, resulting in root access to the device. The vulnerability lies in the fact that both the default WiFi password and WiFi SSID are based on the same hash function output, with the input being limited to only 8 characters. Consequently, an attacker can deduce the WiFi password by analyzing the WiFi SSID.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12941

Unauthorized access to the WiFi network
Root access to the affected device

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12941

AutoPi Wi-Fi/NB and 4G/LTE devices are susceptible to the following:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to perform brute-force or dictionary attacks to gain unauthorized access to the WiFi network and subsequently obtain root access to the device.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the limited input characters of the hash function used for both the default WiFi password and WiFi SSID to deduce the WiFi password.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2019-12941.

Immediate Steps to Take

Change the default WiFi password to a strong, unique password
Implement network segmentation to restrict access
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update device firmware to patch security vulnerabilities
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify weaknesses

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by the device manufacturer
Stay informed about security best practices and updates from the vendor