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Hidden Backdoor Discovered On HP MSA2000 Arrays
wiredmikey writes "A hardcoded password-related security vulnerability has been discovered which apparently affects every HP MSA2000 G3, a modular large scale storage array. According to the alert, a hidden user exists that doesn't show up in the user manager, and the password cannot be changed, creating a perfect 'backdoor' opportunity for an attacker to gain access to potentially sensitive information stored on the device, as well as systems it is connected to."
The hard coded user and password in the HP MSA2000 is set to: username: admin
password: !admin
WaHAHAHAHAH! Not even "n9xe2uPAthe9" or even "Mr.Snuffles". And it is exactly the same as the very generic username, except for one extra character. It's almost as bad(or perhaps even worse) then using "123456" or even "password."
This further proves that "faith based security" - relying on vendors to provide systems with built-in robust security- is not a good practice.
Well...nah, I won't even go there. Too easy. I'm trying to be a good boy. Would somebody like to post a sysadmin's prayer for us?
cntraltdelete
If that is too long to type, you can use the shortcut keys on your keyboard. This HP thing goes deep. . . .
Humor from a Genetically Molested Mind
One would assume that you would hardcode it so if the user loses his password, he can call the company. And trust me, they WILL lose their password.
One would hope that the password is put somewhere that a firmware flash can change it however.
Don't we hear every so often about how the US government wants backdoors into otherwise secure systems and crypto algorithms for "national security" or "law enforcement" purposes? I suspect that the MSA2000 was required to have a backdoor to appease Uncle Sam, and somebody at HP decided that if Uncle Sam wanted a backdoor, Uncle Sam could damn well have a goate.cx-esque backdoor.
Exactly! What happened was that they used this type of storage array to hold data on the 9/11 cover-up, and also to edit the footage of the "moon landing". Also the specs for their black surveillance whisper copters.
Or someone at HP is a moron.
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
A quick login test on my MSA 2012i G3 doesn't work.
"Access denied"
more testing later.
J
That doesn't need a single hardcoded password. Generate one based on the serial number of the device. Recoverable, and a heck of a lot more secure than a single password for everybody.
It amazes me how many Slashdot has, how quickly people here will believe some amazingly complex and willy explanation over a simple and obvious one. So what is the obvious one here? Simple: HP support. They want to be able to get in to the units to help their customers, and do shit like recover passwords (which customers will lose). So they add their special hardcoded maintenance account.
Seriously, going from this to "OMG government conspiracy," based on NO additional evidence means you are presupposing. You've decided on a conclusion (that the government requires everything to have a backdoor, which is 100% false) and are then making a massive illogical leap with no supporting evidence to that.
If someone disables the building's primary security system, defeats the lock on your front door, breaks in, when nobody's there, figures out where your MSA is, defeats your server room's dedicated primary alarm system, breaks through the steel fire door into your server room, defeating the ANSI GRADE 1 industrial access control locks, figures out the precise cage where your MSA2000 is located, defeats the cage locks, figures out the combination to open your cabinet, and somehow removes the faceplate without triggering the intrusion alarm, or motion detectors, noise sensors, and surveillance cameras attached to the server room's secondary security/environment monitoring system.
Then yes... there is a small chance someone might be able to insert a serial connector into your MSA to login as this GUI-unavailable backdoor user without the perp getting caught pretty quickly.
By the way, the 'password security' on many routers can be defeated by sending a BREAK via serial console during reboot, or by pushing a recessed RESET button. Where is the outrage?