CVE-2024-42637
📋 TL;DR
H3C R3010 routers running version v100R002L02 contain a hardcoded root password in /etc/shadow, allowing attackers to gain complete administrative control. This affects all deployments using this specific firmware version. Attackers can use this default credential to log in as root without any authentication.
💻 Affected Systems
- H3C R3010
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of the router allowing attackers to intercept all network traffic, modify configurations, install persistent backdoors, and pivot to internal networks.
Likely Case
Attackers gain root access to the router, enabling traffic interception, configuration changes, and potential lateral movement to connected systems.
If Mitigated
If proper network segmentation and access controls are in place, impact may be limited to the router itself, though complete control remains possible.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires only knowledge of the hardcoded password and SSH/Telnet access to the router.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: v100R002L02P01 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.h3c.com/cn/d_202308/1907175_30005_0.htm
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download updated firmware from H3C support portal. 2. Backup current configuration. 3. Upload and install new firmware via web interface or CLI. 4. Reboot router. 5. Verify new firmware version.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Change root password
linuxManually change the root password to a strong, unique password
passwd root
Restrict SSH/Telnet access
linuxLimit management interface access to trusted IP addresses only
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 22 -s TRUSTED_IP -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 22 -j DROP
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Immediately change the root password to a strong, unique value
- Restrict management interface access to specific trusted IP addresses using firewall rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check /etc/shadow file for hardcoded password hash: grep root /etc/shadowCheck Version:
cat /etc/version or show version in CLIVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version is v100R002L02P01 or later and root password has been changed📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed SSH/Telnet login attempts followed by successful root login
- Unexpected root logins from unusual IP addresses
Network Indicators:
- SSH/Telnet connections to router from unexpected sources
- Unusual outbound connections from router
SIEM Query:
source="router_logs" (event="authentication success" AND user="root") NOT src_ip IN [trusted_management_ips]