Raw vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:XCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2017-20234 is a critical-severity Use of Hard-coded Credentials (CWE-798) vulnerability in Belden (inferred from references). Its CVSS base score is 9.3 (Critical).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Credentials In Files (T1552.001); ranked at the 39th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to IA-5 (Authenticator Management) and SC-12 (Cryptographic Key Establishment and Management) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
CVE-2017-20234 is an authentication bypass vulnerability in GarrettCom Magnum 6K and 10K managed switches. The flaw stems from a hardcoded string within the authentication mechanism, enabling attackers to circumvent login controls and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions and sensitive switch configurations without valid credentials. Published on 2026-04-03, it is associated with CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials) and carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H), classifying it as critical.
Unauthenticated attackers with network access to the affected switches can exploit this vulnerability remotely with low complexity and no user interaction or privileges required. Successful exploitation grants full administrative access, allowing attackers to view, modify, or disrupt switch configurations, potentially leading to network compromise, data exposure, or service disruption.
Advisories provide guidance on mitigation, including details in the Belden Security Bulletin (MNS-6K-10K-GarrettCom-BSECV-2017-08) at https://assets.belden.com/m/114be964b4651983/original/Security-Bulletin-MNS-6K-10K-GarrettCom-BSECV-2017-08.pdf and the VulnCheck advisory at https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/garrettcom-magnum-6k-and-10k-authentication-bypass-via-hardcoded-string. Security practitioners should consult these resources for patch availability, workarounds, and upgrade recommendations.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2017-18957
Vulnerability Data
GarrettCom Magnum 6K and 10K managed switches contain an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to gain unauthorized access by exploiting a hardcoded string in the authentication mechanism. Attackers can bypass login controls to access administrative functions and sensitive…
more
switch configuration without valid credentials.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Authenticator management requires secure distribution and handling of credentials, structurally discouraging hard-coded values.
Cryptographic key management mandates proper establishment and handling instead of embedding keys in code.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
PR.AA-01's credential/key-management processes can reduce the incentive to embed secrets but do not address or detect hard-coded values in source code, so the weakness remains fully possible.
PR.AA-02 addresses human identity proofing and per-person credential issuance at enrollment; it has no bearing on whether developers embed static credentials in software.
PR.DS-01 addresses encryption and integrity of stored data but never touches credential or key management practices, so it neither prevents hard-coded credentials nor removes any of their risk.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Education on secure configuration practices discourages technical staff from embedding or relying on hard-coded credentials in systems and applications.
Secure key-generation, distribution and storage procedures reduce the likelihood that hard-coded or default cryptographic keys will be introduced or left unprotected.
Explicit prohibition of hard-coded passwords and unauthenticated external services stops credentials from being embedded directly in source code.
Contractual requirements for secure coding practices and evidence of testing make it less likely that hard-coded credentials will be introduced or remain undetected in delivered code.