CVE-2024-22853
Published: 06 February 2024
Summary
CVE-2024-22853 is a critical-severity Use of Hard-coded Credentials (CWE-798) vulnerability in Dlink Go-Rt-Ac750 Firmware. Its CVSS base score is 9.8 (Critical).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Default Accounts (T1078.001); ranked in the top 0.5% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
D-LINK Go-RT-AC750 routers running firmware GORTAC750_A1_FW_v101b03 contain a hardcoded password for the Alphanetworks account. This use of hard-coded credentials (CWE-798) enables unauthenticated remote access and is reflected in the CVSS 9.8 rating that treats the issue as network-reachable without privileges or user interaction.
An attacker who can reach the device over the network can open a Telnet session with the Alphanetworks credentials and obtain root-level control of the router. No additional authentication or user interaction is required, allowing full compromise of the affected firmware.
D-Link has published a security bulletin addressing the router, while public proof-of-concept material is available that demonstrates the Telnet login. The EPSS score currently stands at 0.8692, indicating substantial exploitation likelihood.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2024-20383
Vulnerability details
D-LINK Go-RT-AC750 GORTAC750_A1_FW_v101b03 has a hardcoded password for the Alphanetworks account, which allows remote attackers to obtain root access via a telnet session.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Hardcoded password for Alphanetworks account enables remote root authentication via telnet (default accounts) and subsequent command execution on the network device CLI.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Enables users to notice when hard-coded credentials have been exploited for unauthorized access.
Security training explicitly warns against hard-coded credentials, lowering their use in systems.
Policy and procedures prohibit hard-coded credentials in favor of managed authentication.
External identity providers eliminate the need for hard-coded credentials in applications.
Changing default authenticators prior to first use and protecting content prevents use of hard-coded credentials.
Central credential stores and rotation policies remove the need for hard-coded credentials in configuration files or code.
Intelligence programs surface reports of campaigns that abuse hard-coded credentials in products, prompting removal or replacement and thereby reducing successful exploitation.
Planned investment enables secure credential storage and management systems instead of hard-coded credentials.