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Original release date: April 10, 2013 | Last revised: June 24, 2013
[h=3]Systems Affected[/h] Any system using password authentication accessible from the internet may be affected. Critical infrastructure and other important embedded systems, appliances, and devices are of particular concern.
[h=3]Overview[/h] Attackers can easily identify and access internet-connected systems that use shared default passwords. It is imperative to change default manufacturer passwords and restrict network access to critical and important systems.
[h=3]Description[/h] [h=4]What Are Default Passwords?[/h]Factory default software configurations for embedded systems, devices, and appliances often include simple, publicly documented passwords. These systems usually do not provide a full operating system interface for user management, and the default passwords are typically identical (shared) among all systems from a vendor or within product lines. Default passwords are intended for initial testing, installation, and configuration operations, and many vendors recommend changing the default password before deploying the system in a production environment.
[h=4]What Is the Risk?[/h]Attackers can easily obtain default passwords and identify internet-connected target systems. Passwords can be found in product documentation and compiled lists available on the internet. It is possible to identify exposed systems using search engines like Shodan, and it is feasible to scan the entire IPv4 internet, as demonstrated by such research as
[h=3]Impact[/h] An attacker with knowledge of the password and network access to a system can log in, usually with root or administrative privileges. Further consequences depend on the type and use of the compromised system. Examples of incident activity involving unchanged default passwords include
[h=4]Use Unique Default Passwords[/h]Vendors can design systems that use unique default passwords. Such passwords may be based on some inherent characteristic of the system, like a MAC address, and the password may be physically printed on the system.
[h=4]Use Alternative Authentication Mechanisms[/h]When possible, use alternative authentication mechanisms like Kerberos, x.509 certificates, public keys, or multi-factor authentication. Embedded systems may not support these authentication mechanisms and the associated infrastructure.
[h=4]Force Default Password Changes[/h]Vendors can design systems to require password changes the first time a default password is used. Recent versions of DD-WRT wireless router firmware operate this way.
[h=4]Restrict Network Access[/h]Restrict network access to trusted hosts and networks. Only allow internet access to required network services, and unless absolutely necessary, do not deploy systems that can be directly accessed from the internet. If remote access is required, consider using VPN, SSH, or other secure access methods and be sure to change default passwords.
Vendors can design systems to only allow default or recovery password use on local interfaces, such as a serial console, or when the system is in maintenance mode and only accessible from a local network.
[h=4]Identify Affected Products[/h]It is important to identify software and systems that are likely to use default passwords. The following list includes software, systems, and services that commonly use default passwords:
[h=3]References[/h]
This product is provided subject to this Link Removed and this Link Removed policy.
Syndicated from the United States Security Readiness Team (US-CERT). Link Removed
[h=3]Systems Affected[/h] Any system using password authentication accessible from the internet may be affected. Critical infrastructure and other important embedded systems, appliances, and devices are of particular concern.
[h=3]Overview[/h] Attackers can easily identify and access internet-connected systems that use shared default passwords. It is imperative to change default manufacturer passwords and restrict network access to critical and important systems.
[h=3]Description[/h] [h=4]What Are Default Passwords?[/h]Factory default software configurations for embedded systems, devices, and appliances often include simple, publicly documented passwords. These systems usually do not provide a full operating system interface for user management, and the default passwords are typically identical (shared) among all systems from a vendor or within product lines. Default passwords are intended for initial testing, installation, and configuration operations, and many vendors recommend changing the default password before deploying the system in a production environment.
[h=4]What Is the Risk?[/h]Attackers can easily obtain default passwords and identify internet-connected target systems. Passwords can be found in product documentation and compiled lists available on the internet. It is possible to identify exposed systems using search engines like Shodan, and it is feasible to scan the entire IPv4 internet, as demonstrated by such research as
- Shiny Old VxWorks Vulnerabilities
- Security Flaws in Universal Plug and Play: Unplug, Don't Play
- Link Removed
- The Wild West
- Internet Census 2012
[h=3]Impact[/h] An attacker with knowledge of the password and network access to a system can log in, usually with root or administrative privileges. Further consequences depend on the type and use of the compromised system. Examples of incident activity involving unchanged default passwords include
- Internet Census 2012 Carna Botnet distributed scanning
- Fake Emergency Alert System (EAS) warnings about zombies
- Stuxnet and Siemens SIMATIC WinCC software
- Kaiten malware and older versions of Microsoft SQL Server
- SSH access to jailbroken Apple iPhones
- Cisco router default Telnet and enable passwords
- SNMP community strings
[h=4]Use Unique Default Passwords[/h]Vendors can design systems that use unique default passwords. Such passwords may be based on some inherent characteristic of the system, like a MAC address, and the password may be physically printed on the system.
[h=4]Use Alternative Authentication Mechanisms[/h]When possible, use alternative authentication mechanisms like Kerberos, x.509 certificates, public keys, or multi-factor authentication. Embedded systems may not support these authentication mechanisms and the associated infrastructure.
[h=4]Force Default Password Changes[/h]Vendors can design systems to require password changes the first time a default password is used. Recent versions of DD-WRT wireless router firmware operate this way.
[h=4]Restrict Network Access[/h]Restrict network access to trusted hosts and networks. Only allow internet access to required network services, and unless absolutely necessary, do not deploy systems that can be directly accessed from the internet. If remote access is required, consider using VPN, SSH, or other secure access methods and be sure to change default passwords.
Vendors can design systems to only allow default or recovery password use on local interfaces, such as a serial console, or when the system is in maintenance mode and only accessible from a local network.
[h=4]Identify Affected Products[/h]It is important to identify software and systems that are likely to use default passwords. The following list includes software, systems, and services that commonly use default passwords:
- Routers, access points, switches, firewalls, and other network equipment
- Databases
- Web applications
- Industrial Control Systems (ICS) systems
- Other embedded systems and devices
- Remote terminal interfaces like Telnet and SSH
- Administrative web interfaces
[h=3]References[/h]
- Link Removed
- Link Removed
- Link Removed
- Link Removed
- The Risk of Default Passwords
- SHODAN - Computer Search Engine
- Shiny Old VxWorks Vulnerabilities
- Security Flaws in Universal Plug and Play: Unplug, Don't Play
- Link Removed
- The Wild West
- Internet Census 2012
- Link Removed
- Link Removed
- SCADA System's Hard-Coded Password Circulated Online for Years
- After Worm, Siemens Says Don't Change Passwords
- "Kaiten" Malicious Code Installed by Exploiting Null Default Passwords in Microsoft SQL Server
- Web Interface - DD-WRT Wiki
- Penetration Testing Software | Metasploit
- Open Vulnerability Assessment System
- Initial release
This product is provided subject to this Link Removed and this Link Removed policy.
Syndicated from the United States Security Readiness Team (US-CERT). Link Removed
