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Default Credentials Vulnerability in Cisco Network Registrar

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Advisory ID: cisco-sa-20110601-cnr

http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20110601-cnr

Revision 1.0

For Public Release 2011 June 1 16:00  UTC (GMT)

Summary

Cisco Network Registrar Software Releases prior to 7.2 contain a default password for the administrative account. During the initial installation, users are not forced to change this password, allowing it to persist after the installation. An attacker who is aware of this vulnerability could authenticate with administrative privileges and arbitrarily change the configuration of Cisco Network Registrar.

The upgrade to Software Release 7.2 is not free; however, a workaround is provided in this document that will prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.

When performing an upgrade to Software Release 7.2, you must use the workaround to change the password of the administrative account. You will be prompted to enter a new administrator's password only if you are performing a new installation of Software Release 7.2 of Cisco Network Registrar.

The workaround for this vulnerability is to change the password associated with the administrative account using the method described in the "Workarounds" section.

This advisory is posted at http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20110601-cnr.

Affected Products

Vulnerable Products

This vulnerability affects all releases of Cisco Network Registrar prior to Software Release 7.2. The vulnerability is present in the affected releases on all platforms.

To verify the release of Cisco Network Registrar that is running, select the About option from the menu. Alternatively, if using the command-line interface, execute the following command:

nrcmd> session get version

Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable

No other Cisco products are currently known to be affected by this vulnerability.

Details

Cisco Network Registrar provides highly scalable and reliable DNS, DHCP, and TFTP services. The central management capabilities of Cisco Network Registrar simplify administrative tasks associated with network and device configuration.

Cisco Network Registrar contains a default password for the administrative account. An attacker could use this knowledge to authenticate with administrative privileges and arbitrarily change the configuration of Cisco Network Registrar. This vulnerability is documented in Cisco bug ID CSCsm50627 (registered customers only) and has been assigned the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) identifier CVE-2011-2024.

Additionally, it is a good practice to change passwords periodically. The interval should comply with an organization's security policy but, as a guideline, passwords should be changed two to three times a year. This practice applies equally to all products regardless of when they are installed and to all users, administrators and non-administrators.

Vulnerability Scoring Details

Cisco has provided scores for the vulnerabilities in this advisory based on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). The CVSS scoring in this Security Advisory is done in accordance with CVSS version 2.0.

CVSS is a standards-based scoring method that conveys vulnerability severity and helps determine urgency and priority of response.

Cisco has provided a base and temporal score. Customers can then compute environmental scores to assist in determining the impact of the vulnerability in individual networks.

Cisco has provided an FAQ to answer additional questions regarding CVSS at
http://www.cisco.com/web/about/security/intelligence/cvss-qandas.html .

Cisco has also provided a CVSS calculator to help compute the environmental impact for individual networks at
http://intellishield.cisco.com/security/alertmanager/cvss .


Initially supplied admin password not changed during the installation

Calculate the environmental score of CSCsm50627

CVSS Base Score - 10

Access Vector

Access Complexity

Authentication

Confidentiality Impact

Integrity Impact

Availability Impact

Network

Low

None

Complete

Complete

Complete

CVSS Temporal Score - 8.3

Exploitability

Remediation Level

Report Confidence

Functional

Official-Fix

Confirmed

Impact

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may allow an attacker to make arbitrary changes to the configuration of Cisco Network Registrar.

Software Versions and Fixes

When considering software upgrades, also consult http://www.cisco.com/go/psirt and any subsequent advisories to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.

In all cases, customers should exercise caution to be certain the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or your contracted maintenance provider for assistance.

This vulnerability is fixed in Software Release 7.2. All releases of Cisco Network Registrar prior to 7.2 will not force users to change the administrative password during the initial installation.

Workarounds

The provided workaround changes the password that is associated with the administrator's account. To change the password using the web interface, select Advanced -> Administrators -> Admin from the menu.

Execute the following command to change the administrator's password using the command-line interface:

admin <admin-name> enterPassword

Additionally, access to Cisco Network Registrar (TCP ports 8080, 8090, 8443, and 8453) and the host on which it is running should be limited to legitimate IP addresses. Consult the documentation of the host operating system for further details how to accomplish this task.

The use of IP addresses as a form of authentication is a well-established network security practice. For more guidance on the use of access control lists (ACLs) or the explicit identification of network management stations in devices and applications, reference the white paper A Security-Oriented Approach to IP Addressing at the following link: http://www.cisco.com/web/about/security/intelligence/security-for-ip-addr.html.

Obtaining Fixed Software

Cisco has released free software updates that address these vulnerabilities. Prior to deploying software, customers should consult their maintenance provider or check the software for feature set compatibility and known issues specific to their environment.

Customers may only install and expect support for the feature sets they have purchased. By installing, downloading, accessing or otherwise using such software upgrades, customers agree to be bound by the terms of Cisco's software license terms found at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/general/warranty/English/EU1KEN_.html , or as otherwise set forth at Cisco.com Downloads at http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-usingswc.shtml .

Do not contact psirt@cisco.com or security-alert@cisco.com for software upgrades

Customers with Service Contracts

Customers with contracts should obtain upgraded software through their regular update channels. For most customers, this means that upgrades should be obtained through the Software Center on Cisco's worldwide website at http://www.cisco.com.

Customers using Third Party Support Organizations

Customers whose Cisco products are provided or maintained through prior or existing agreements with third-party support organizations, such as Cisco Partners, authorized resellers, or service providers should contact that support organization for guidance and assistance with the appropriate course of action in regards to this advisory.

The effectiveness of any workaround or fix is dependent on specific customer situations, such as product mix, network topology, traffic behavior, and organizational mission. Due to the variety of affected products and releases, customers should consult with their service provider or support organization to ensure any applied workaround or fix is the most appropriate for use in the intended network before it is deployed.

Customers without Service Contracts

Customers who purchase direct from Cisco but do not hold a Cisco service contract, and customers who purchase through third-party vendors but are unsuccessful in obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should acquire upgrades by contacting the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC). TAC contacts are as follows.

  • +1 800 553 2447 (toll free from within North America)
  • +1 408 526 7209 (toll call from anywhere in the world)
  • e-mail: tac@cisco.com

Customers should have their product serial number available and be prepared to give the URL of this notice as evidence of entitlement to a free upgrade. Free upgrades for non-contract customers must be requested through the TAC.

Refer to http://www.cisco.com/en/US/support/tsd_cisco_worldwide_contacts.html for additional TAC contact information, including localized telephone numbers, and instructions and e-mail addresses for use in various languages.

Exploitation and Public Announcements

The Cisco PSIRT is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of the vulnerability described in this advisory.

This vulnerability was discovered during an internal review.

Status of this Notice: Final

THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND DOES NOT IMPLY ANY KIND OF GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. YOUR USE OF THE INFORMATION ON THE DOCUMENT OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE DOCUMENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE THIS DOCUMENT AT ANY TIME.

A stand-alone copy or Paraphrase of the text of this document that omits the distribution URL in the following section is an uncontrolled copy, and may lack important information or contain factual errors.


Distribution

This advisory is posted on Cisco's worldwide website at:

http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20110601-cnr

In addition to worldwide web posting, a text version of this notice is clear-signed with the Cisco PSIRT PGP key and is posted to the following e-mail and Usenet news recipients.

  • cust-security-announce@cisco.com
  • first-teams@first.org
  • bugtraq@securityfocus.com
  • vulnwatch@vulnwatch.org
  • cisco@spot.colorado.edu
  • cisco-nsp@puck.nether.net
  • full-disclosure@lists.grok.org.uk
  • comp.dcom.sys.cisco@newsgate.cisco.com

Future updates of this advisory, if any, will be placed on Cisco's worldwide website, but may or may not be actively announced on mailing lists or newsgroups. Users concerned about this problem are encouraged to check the above URL for any updates.


Revision History

Revision 1.0

2001-06-01

Initial public release

Cisco Security Procedures

Complete information on reporting security vulnerabilities in Cisco products, obtaining assistance with security incidents, and registering to receive security information from Cisco, is available on Cisco's worldwide website at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/products_security_vulnerability_policy.html. This includes instructions for press inquiries regarding Cisco security notices. All Cisco security advisories are available at http://www.cisco.com/go/psirt.