Use of Default Credentials
Incomplete Base
Structure: Simple
Description
The product uses default credentials (such as passwords or cryptographic keys) for potentially critical functionality.
It is common practice for products to be designed to use default keys, passwords, or other mechanisms for authentication. The rationale is to simplify the manufacturing process or the system administrator's task of installation and deployment into an enterprise. However, if admins do not change the defaults, it is easier for attackers to bypass authentication quickly across multiple organizations.
Common Consequences 1
Scope: Authentication
Impact: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity
Potential Mitigations 3
Phase: Requirements
Prohibit use of default, hard-coded, or other values that do not vary for each installation of the product - especially for separate organizations.
Effectiveness: High
Phase: Architecture and Design
Force the administrator to change the credential upon installation.
Effectiveness: High
Phase: InstallationOperation
The product administrator could change the defaults upon installation or during operation.
Effectiveness: Moderate
Demonstrative Examples 1
ID : DX-153
In 2022, the OT:ICEFALL study examined products by 10 different Operational Technology (OT) vendors. The researchers reported 56 vulnerabilities and said that the products were "insecure by design" [REF-1283]. If exploited, these vulnerabilities often allowed adversaries to change how the products operated, ranging from denial of service to changing the code that the products executed. Since these products were often used in industries such as power, electrical, water, and others, there could even be safety implications.At least one OT product used default credentials.
Observed Examples 5
CVE-2022-30270Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) uses default credentials for some SSH accounts
CVE-2021-41192data visualization/sharing package uses default secret keys or cookie values if they are not specified in environment variables
CVE-2021-38759microcontroller board has default password
CVE-2018-3825cloud cluster management product has a default master encryption key
CVE-2010-2306Intrusion Detection System (IDS) uses the same static, private SSL keys for multiple devices and installations, allowing decryption of SSL traffic
References 1
OT:ICEFALL: The legacy of "insecure by design" and its implications for certifications and risk management
Forescout Vedere Labs
20-06-2022
ID: REF-1283
Applicable Platforms
Languages:
Not Language-Specific : Undetermined
Technologies:
ICS/OT : UndeterminedNot Technology-Specific : Undetermined
Modes of Introduction
Architecture and Design
Related Weaknesses
ChildOf:
Use of Weak Credentials (CWE-1391)