How to remediate – 3Com Web Management Interface Default Credentials

1. Introduction

The 3Com Web Management Interface Default Credentials vulnerability allows unauthenticated access to a remote web server due to the use of known, default login credentials. This can allow an attacker to gain full control of the affected device. Successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity and availability of the system.

2. Technical Explanation

The vulnerability exists because 3Com devices ship with pre-configured usernames and passwords that are easily guessable or publicly known. An attacker can use these credentials to log in to the web interface without any authentication. This allows them full administrative access to the device.

• Root cause: Use of weak, default credentials on the 3Com Web Management Interface.
• Exploit mechanism: An attacker attempts to log into the web interface using common default usernames and passwords (e.g., admin/admin). If successful, they gain control of the device configuration.
• Scope: Affected devices are 3Com Web Management Interfaces that have not had their default credentials changed.

3. Detection and Assessment

• Quick checks: Access the 3Com Web Management Interface login page via a web browser.
• Scanning: Nessus plugin ID 30798 can detect this vulnerability as an example.
• Logs and evidence: Look for successful logins from default IP addresses or user accounts in server logs, if available.

# No command is needed to check exposure - it's a login attempt.

4. Solution / Remediation Steps

To fix this issue, you must log into the affected server and change the default passwords for all accounts.

4.1 Preparation

• Dependencies: Access to the 3Com Web Management Interface. Roll back plan: Restore from backup if necessary.
• Change window: A standard maintenance window may be appropriate, depending on business impact. Approval from a system administrator may be needed.

4.2 Implementation

1. Step 1: Log into the 3Com Web Management Interface using existing credentials (if known).
2. Step 2: Navigate to the user account management section.
3. Step 3: Change the passwords for all default accounts, including ‘admin’ and any other pre-configured users. Use strong, unique passwords.
4. Step 4: Save the changes and verify that you can no longer log in with the old credentials.

4.3 Config or Code Example

This vulnerability is a password change; there is no code example.

Before

Username: admin, Password: admin

After

Username: admin, Password: StrongUniquePassword!

4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability

Several security practices can help prevent this type of issue.

• Practice 1: Least privilege – limit account permissions to reduce the impact if compromised.
• Practice 2: Safe defaults – avoid shipping devices with default credentials, or force a password change on first login.

4.5 Automation (Optional)

Automation is not typically suitable for this vulnerability due to device-specific interfaces.

5. Verification / Validation

• Post-fix check: Attempt to login using the original ‘admin/admin’ credentials; it should fail.
• Re-test: Repeat the initial detection steps – you should no longer be able to log in with default credentials.
• Smoke test: Verify that you can still access and manage the device configuration with the new credentials.
• Monitoring: Monitor logs for failed login attempts using default usernames as an example.

# No command is needed - it's a login attempt. Expected output: Authentication failure.

6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring

Update security baselines to include requirements for changing default credentials on all new devices.

• Baselines: Update your device hardening baseline or policy to require password changes upon initial setup.
• Pipelines: Implement a configuration review process to ensure that default credentials are not present in production environments.
• Asset and patch process: Include regular security audits of all network devices, including checks for default credentials.

7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back

• Risk or side effect 1: Loss of access to the device if the new password is lost. Mitigation: Document the new password securely and consider using a password manager.
• Roll back: Restore the device configuration from the backup created prior to changing the passwords.

8. References and Resources

Refer to official advisories for this vulnerability.

• Vendor advisory or bulletin: No specific vendor advisory available at time of writing.
• NVD or CVE entry: CVE-2003-0184
• Product or platform documentation relevant to the fix: Refer to 3Com device documentation for password change instructions.