CVE-2021-38462
📋 TL;DR
The InHand Networks IR615 Router has weak password policy enforcement in versions 2.3.0.r4724 and 2.3.0.r4870, allowing attackers who obtain user credentials to guess other users' passwords and impersonate them. This affects organizations using these specific router versions for network infrastructure.
💻 Affected Systems
- InHand Networks IR615 Router
📦 What is this software?
Ir615 Firmware by Inhandnetworks
Ir615 Firmware by Inhandnetworks
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete network compromise where attacker gains administrative access, intercepts all traffic, and deploys persistent malware across connected systems.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to router management interface leading to network configuration changes, traffic monitoring, and credential harvesting.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with strong network segmentation and monitoring detecting unusual authentication patterns.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires initial credential access but then allows easy password guessing due to weak policy enforcement.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version 2.3.0.r4870 or later (check vendor for specific fixed version)
Vendor Advisory: https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-21-280-05
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download latest firmware from InHand Networks support portal. 2. Backup current configuration. 3. Upload and install new firmware via web interface. 4. Reboot router. 5. Restore configuration if needed.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Enforce Strong Password Policy
allManually enforce complex password requirements for all user accounts on the router.
Network Segmentation
allIsolate router management interface to dedicated VLAN with strict access controls.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network-level authentication (RADIUS/TACACS+) with strong password policies
- Deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for brute force attempts on router interfaces
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check router web interface or CLI for firmware version. If version is 2.3.0.r4724 or 2.3.0.r4870, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
Login to router web interface and check System Information page, or use CLI command 'show version'Verify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version is updated beyond 2.3.0.r4870 and test password policy enforcement with weak passwords.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple failed login attempts from single source
- Successful logins from unusual IP addresses
- Configuration changes from non-admin users
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns from router management interface
- Unexpected outbound connections from router
SIEM Query:
source="router_logs" (event_type="authentication_failure" count>10 within 5min) OR (event_type="configuration_change" user!="admin")