CVE-2025-48416
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a vulnerability where an OpenSSH daemon has a hard-coded root password in /etc/shadow, but the default configuration disables root login via SSH. Attackers can bypass this restriction through multiple paths, potentially gaining root access to affected systems. This affects systems running the vulnerable firmware/software with the hard-coded credential.
💻 Affected Systems
- OpenSSH daemon with hard-coded root credential
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with root access, allowing complete control over the device, data theft, lateral movement, and persistence.
Likely Case
Unauthorized root access leading to privilege escalation, configuration changes, and installation of backdoors or malware.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if SSH root login remains disabled and strong authentication controls are enforced.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires bypassing PermitRootLogin restriction through unspecified paths mentioned in the description.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not specified
Vendor Advisory: Not provided in CVE details
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Check vendor/firmware provider for updates. 2. Remove hard-coded root password from /etc/shadow. 3. Ensure PermitRootLogin remains disabled or set to 'prohibit-password'.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove hard-coded root password
linuxReplace the hard-coded root password hash with a locked account or strong unique password
passwd -l root
usermod -p '*' root
Enforce SSH configuration
linuxEnsure PermitRootLogin is properly disabled and configuration cannot be modified
echo 'PermitRootLogin no' >> /etc/ssh/sshd_config
systemctl restart sshd
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to restrict SSH access to trusted sources only
- Deploy multi-factor authentication for SSH access and monitor for unauthorized login attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check /etc/shadow for root entry with known hard-coded hash and verify SSH configuration with 'grep PermitRootLogin /etc/ssh/sshd_config'Check Version:
ssh -VVerify Fix Applied:
Verify root account is locked with 'passwd -S root' showing 'L' and SSH config shows 'PermitRootLogin no'📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed root SSH login attempts
- Successful root SSH logins
- Changes to /etc/ssh/sshd_config
Network Indicators:
- SSH brute force attempts targeting root
- Unusual SSH connections from unexpected sources
SIEM Query:
source="sshd" AND (user="root" OR "PermitRootLogin")