CVE-2025-27020

|
CVE-2025-27020 vulnerability security critical severity Infinera MTC-9 remote command execution CVE database unauthenticated access

Summary

CVE-2025-27020 is a critical severity vulnerability affecting Infinera MTC-9 firmware. Improper configuration of the SSH service allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands and access data on the file system, potentially leading to complete system compromise.

Technical Details

CVE-2025-27020 stems from an insecure default configuration of the SSH service within the Infinera MTC-9 firmware. Specifically, the SSH service is configured in a way that allows unauthenticated access, bypassing standard authentication mechanisms. This misconfiguration enables a remote attacker to establish an SSH connection without providing valid credentials. Once connected, the attacker can execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, effectively gaining complete control over the affected system. The root cause is likely a missing or improperly configured authentication mechanism, such as disabled password authentication or the presence of default, easily guessable credentials that are not enforced to be changed upon initial setup. The attacker can leverage this access to read sensitive data, modify system configurations, install malware, or disrupt services.

Affected Products and Versions

This vulnerability affects the following product and versions:

  • Infinera MTC-9 Firmware: Versions R22.1.1.0275 and prior to R23.0

Impact Assessment

Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-27020 can have severe consequences, including:

  • Complete System Compromise: An attacker can gain full control of the affected Infinera MTC-9 device.
  • Data Breach: Sensitive data stored on the device, including configuration files, logs, and potentially customer data, can be accessed and exfiltrated.
  • Service Disruption: The attacker can disrupt the normal operation of the device, leading to network outages or performance degradation.
  • Malware Installation: The attacker can install malware on the device, potentially using it as a foothold for further attacks on the network.
  • Lateral Movement: Compromised MTC-9 devices can be used as a launchpad to attack other systems on the network.

Remediation

Apply the vendor-supplied patch as soon as possible. Until a patch is applied, consider the following mitigations:

Immediate Actions

  • Apply the Patch: Upgrade the Infinera MTC-9 firmware to version R23.0 or later.
  • Network Segmentation: Isolate the MTC-9 device from other critical network segments to limit the potential impact of a successful attack.
  • Monitor Network Traffic: Monitor network traffic to and from the MTC-9 device for suspicious activity.

Long-term Solutions

  • Implement Strong Authentication: Ensure that strong authentication mechanisms, such as SSH key-based authentication, are enabled and enforced.
  • Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits of the MTC-9 device and its configuration to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
  • Principle of Least Privilege: Apply the principle of least privilege to limit the access rights of users and processes on the device.

References

Detection & Scanning

This vulnerability can be detected by scanning for open SSH ports and attempting to connect without authentication. Security tools and penetration testing can also be used to identify the misconfiguration.

Scan Your Network

Secably AI Scanner can detect this and 50+ other vulnerabilities automatically.

Start Free Scan

Scan Your Website for Vulnerabilities

Discover security issues before attackers do. Our AI-powered scanner checks for the vulnerabilities discussed in this guide and more.

Start Free Scan