CVE-2020-16134 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

An issue was discovered on Swisscom Internet Box 2, Internet Box Standard, Internet Box Plus prior to 10.04.38, Internet Box 3 prior to 11.01.20, and Internet Box light prior to 08.06.06. This vulnerability allows an attacker to create a user with elevated privileges on the Sysbus-API, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

Understanding CVE-2020-16134

This CVE identifies a security flaw in Swisscom Internet Box devices that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access and modify SSH settings.

What is CVE-2020-16134?

The vulnerability in Swisscom Internet Box devices allows attackers to create a user with elevated privileges on the Sysbus-API, enabling them to manipulate SSH access and potentially gain superuser privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16134

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to the affected devices, compromising the security and integrity of the system. Attackers could potentially gain control over the device and perform malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16134

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from a lack of proper access controls on the Sysbus-API, allowing attackers to create a user with escalated privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Swisscom Internet Box 2, Internet Box Standard, Internet Box Plus prior to 10.04.38
Internet Box 3 prior to 11.01.20
Internet Box light prior to 08.06.06

Exploitation Mechanism

Requires (user-configurable) credentials for the local Web interface or physical access to a device's plus or reset button
Attackers can create a user with elevated privileges on the Sysbus-API
Enables modification of local or remote SSH access, potentially leading to superuser login

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-16134 is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected devices to the latest firmware versions provided by Swisscom
Change default credentials and ensure strong, unique passwords
Monitor device logs for any suspicious activities

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch devices to address known vulnerabilities
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential breaches
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address security weaknesses

Patching and Updates

Swisscom has released firmware updates to address the vulnerability
Regularly check for and apply security patches to ensure system security