CERT Advisory CA-2002-32 Backdoor in Alcatel OmniSwitch AOS
Original release date: November 21, 2002
Last revised: --
Source: CERT/CC, Alcatel
A complete revision history can be found at the end of this file.
Systems Affected
* Alcatel OmniSwitch 7700/7800 switches running Alcatel Operating
System (AOS) version 5.1.1
Overview
Alcatel has recently discovered a serious vulnerability in AOS version
5.1.1. Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to full
administrative control of the device running AOS.
I. Description
AOS typically runs on network infrastructure devices, such as the
Alcatel OmniSwitch 7000 series switch. According to Alcatel:
During an NMAP audit of the AOS 5.1.1 code that runs on the Alcatel
OmniSwitch 7700/7800 LAN switches, it was determined a telnet
server was listening on TCP port number 6778. This was used during
development to access the Wind River Vx-Works operating system. Due
to an oversight, this access was not removed prior to product
release.
Further information about this vulnerability may be found in
VU#181721. This issue is also being referenced as CAN-2002-1272:
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename...=CAN-2002-1272
II. Impact
An attacker can gain full access to any device running AOS version
5.1.1, which can result in, but is not limited to, unauthorized
access, unauthorized monitoring, information leakage, or denial of
service.
III. Solution
Upgrade to AOS 5.1.1.R02 or AOS 5.1.1.R03
Contact Alcatel's customer support for the updated AOS.
Workarounds
Block access to port 6778/TCP at your network perimeter.
Appendix A. - Vendor Information
VU#181721 was written by Alcatel. As new vendor information is
reported to the CERT/CC, we will update VU#181721 and note the changes
in our revision history.
Appendix B. - References
1. VU#181721: Alcatel OmniSwitch 7700/7800 does not require a
password for accessing the telnet server -
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/181721
2. OmniSwitch_7000_brief -
http://www.ind.alcatel.com/nextgen/O...7000_brief.pdf
3. CAN-2002-1272 -
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename...=CAN-2002-1272
_________________________________________________________________
We thank Olivier Paridaens and Jeff Hayes of Alcatel for reporting
this issue.
_________________________________________________________________
Author: Ian A. Finlay.