CVE-2020-15833 : Security Advisory and Response

An issue was discovered on Mofi Network MOFI4500-4GXeLTE 4.1.5-std devices where the Dropbear SSH daemon has been modified to accept an alternate hard-coded path to a public key, allowing root access.

Understanding CVE-2020-15833

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Mofi Network MOFI4500-4GXeLTE 4.1.5-std devices that could lead to unauthorized root access.

What is CVE-2020-15833?

The vulnerability allows an attacker to gain root access through a modified Dropbear SSH daemon that accepts a specific path to a public key stored in an unmodifiable location.

The Impact of CVE-2020-15833

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to the affected devices, potentially leading to further compromise or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-15833

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The Dropbear SSH daemon on MOFI4500-4GXeLTE 4.1.5-std devices accepts a hard-coded path to a public key, enabling unauthorized root access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Mofi Network MOFI4500-4GXeLTE 4.1.5-std
Vendor: Mofi Network
Version: 4.1.5-std

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by utilizing the modified Dropbear SSH daemon to access the specific path to the public key, granting root privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-15833 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable SSH access if not required or restrict it to trusted IP addresses only.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity related to SSH connections.
Apply firewall rules to limit SSH access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong password policies and consider key-based authentication.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Check for firmware updates from Mofi Network and apply patches that address the vulnerability.