Fxa3000 Firmware: Use of Hard-coded Credentials
CVE-2022-36159 is a high-severity use of hard-coded credentials vulnerability in Fxa3000 Firmware from Contec, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Fxa3000 Firmware versions: 1.13.00 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.04% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 64% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Fxa2000 Firmware to 1.39.00 or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contec | Fxa3000 Firmware | 1.13.00 and earlier | Not stated |
| Contec | Fxa3020 Firmware | 1.13.00 and earlier | Not stated |
| Contec | Fxa3200 Firmware | 1.13.00 and earlier | Not stated |
| Contec | Fxa2000 Firmware | before 1.39.00 | 1.39.00 |
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
Contec FXA3200 version 1.13 and under were discovered to contain a hard coded hash password for root stored in the component /etc/shadow. As the password strength is weak, it can be cracked in few minutes. Through this credential, a malicious actor can access the Wireless LAN Manager interface and open the telnet port then sniff the traffic or inject any malware.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of Hard-coded Credentials
The product contains hard-coded credentials, such as a password or cryptographic key.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For outbound authentication: store passwords, keys, and other credentials outside of the code in a strongly-protected, encrypted configuration file or database that is protected from access by all outsiders, including other local users on the same system. Properly protect the key (CWE-320). If you cannot use encryption to protect the file, then make sure that the permissions are as restrictive as possible. In Windows environments, the Encrypted File System (EFS) may provide some protection.
- For inbound authentication: Rather than hard-code a default username and password, key, or other authentication credentials for first time logins, utilize a first login mode that requires the user to enter a unique strong password or key.
- If the product must contain hard-coded credentials or they cannot be removed, perform access control checks and limit which entities can access the feature that requires the hard-coded credentials. For example, a feature might only be enabled through the system console instead of through a network connection.
More Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerabilities (CWE-798)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- jvn.jp/en/vu/JVNVU98305100/Third Party Advisory
- samy.link/blog/contec-flexlan-fxa2000-and-fxa3000-series-vulnerability-repoExploit, Mitigation, Third Party Advisory
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Fxa3000 Firmware
- 8.0 High severity
Recent Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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