1. Introduction
The Alcatel OmniSwitch Default Credentials vulnerability allows unauthorised access to web application interfaces using pre-set usernames and passwords. This can allow attackers to gain full administrative control of network switches, impacting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of connected systems. Systems affected are typically Alcatel OmniSwitches running vulnerable firmware versions with default credentials enabled.
2. Technical Explanation
The vulnerability occurs because some Alcatel OmniSwitches ship with publicly known default usernames and passwords. An attacker can exploit this by attempting to log in using these credentials without any authentication challenges. Successful exploitation grants administrative access to the switch, allowing configuration changes, data theft, and denial of service attacks. There is no CVE associated with this vulnerability as it’s a common misconfiguration rather than a software flaw.
- Root cause: Use of default credentials on web application login page.
- Exploit mechanism: An attacker attempts to log in using the default username and password combination via the HTTP interface.
- Scope: Alcatel OmniSwitches with default credentials enabled. Affected versions are not specifically known, but older or unpatched devices are more likely to be vulnerable.
3. Detection and Assessment
To confirm vulnerability, check for the presence of default credentials on the switch’s web interface. A thorough method involves attempting a login with common default combinations.
- Quick checks: Access the switch’s web interface (usually via its IP address in a browser) and look for login prompts.
- Scanning: Nessus plugin ID 10384 can identify switches using default credentials, but results may be false positive.
- Logs and evidence: Check switch logs for failed login attempts with common usernames like “admin” or “root”.
# No command available as this is a web interface check. Access the device's HTTP management page in your browser.4. Solution / Remediation Steps
Secure default accounts with strong, unique passwords to prevent unauthorised access.
4.1 Preparation
- Dependencies: Access to the switch’s web interface and administrative privileges are needed. Rollback plan: Restore from backup if issues occur.
- Change window: This should be done during a maintenance window, with approval from network administrators.
4.2 Implementation
- Step 1: Log in to the switch’s web interface using existing credentials (if possible).
- Step 2: Navigate to the “System” or “Administration” section of the web interface.
- Step 3: Locate the user account settings for the default accounts (e.g., “admin”).
- Step 4: Change the password for each default account to a strong, unique value.
- Step 5: Save the changes and log out of the web interface.
4.3 Config or Code Example
Before
Username: admin
Password: defaultAfter
Username: admin
Password: YourStrongPassword123!4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability
Practices that directly address this vulnerability type include least privilege and secure defaults.
- Practice 1: Least privilege – limiting access rights reduces the impact if an account is compromised.
- Practice 2: Secure defaults – avoiding default credentials or forcing password changes on first login prevents easy exploitation.
4.5 Automation (Optional)
Automation is not typically suitable for this vulnerability due to device-specific interfaces and security concerns around storing passwords in scripts.
5. Verification / Validation
- Post-fix check: Attempt to log in using “admin” and “default”. The login should fail.
- Re-test: Repeat step 2 from section 3; default credentials should no longer allow access.
- Smoke test: Verify normal switch functionality, such as pinging connected devices or viewing system status.
- Monitoring: Monitor switch logs for failed login attempts with common usernames to detect potential attacks.
# No command available; attempt login via web interface using default credentials. It should fail.6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring
Update security baselines to include password complexity requirements and regular credential audits. Implement a patch management process to ensure switches are running the latest firmware.
- Baselines: Update your network device security baseline to require strong passwords for all accounts, including default ones.
- Pipelines: Consider using configuration management tools to enforce password policies across devices.
- Asset and patch process: Implement a regular review cycle for switch configurations to identify and remediate weak or default credentials.
7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back
Changing passwords may disrupt existing monitoring systems that rely on default credentials. Incorrect password configuration can lock out administrators.
- Risk or side effect 1: Disruption of monitoring tools – update tool configurations with new credentials.
- Risk or side effect 2: Account lockout – ensure the new password is remembered and documented.
- Roll back: Restore from backup if incorrect passwords are set, preventing access to the switch.
8. References and Resources
Links only to sources that match this exact vulnerability.
- Vendor advisory or bulletin: Alcatel Enterprise Support
- NVD or CVE entry: Not applicable, as this is a misconfiguration issue.
- Product or platform documentation relevant to the fix: Alcatel OmniSwitch Documentation