CWE-1392 Detail

CWE-1392

Use of Default Credentials
Incomplete
2022-10-13
00h00 +00:00
2025-12-11
00h00 +00:00
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Name: Use of Default Credentials

The product uses default credentials (such as passwords or cryptographic keys) for potentially critical functionality.

CWE Description

It is common practice for products to be designed to use default keys, passwords, or other mechanisms for authentication. The rationale is to simplify the manufacturing process or the system administrator's task of installation and deployment into an enterprise. However, if admins do not change the defaults, it is easier for attackers to bypass authentication quickly across multiple organizations.

General Informations

Modes Of Introduction

Architecture and Design

Applicable Platforms

Language

Class: Not Language-Specific (Undetermined)

Operating Systems

Class: Not OS-Specific (Undetermined)

Architectures

Class: Not Architecture-Specific (Undetermined)

Technologies

Class: ICS/OT (Undetermined)
Class: Not Technology-Specific (Undetermined)

Common Consequences

Scope Impact Likelihood
AuthenticationGain Privileges or Assume Identity

Observed Examples

References Description

CVE-2022-30270

Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) uses default credentials for some SSH accounts

CVE-2021-41192

data visualization/sharing package uses default secret keys or cookie values if they are not specified in environment variables

CVE-2021-38759

microcontroller board has default password, allowing admin access

CVE-2018-3825

cloud cluster management product has a default master encryption key

CVE-2010-2306

Intrusion Detection System (IDS) uses the same static, private SSL keys for multiple devices and installations, allowing decryption of SSL traffic

Potential Mitigations

Phases : Requirements
Prohibit use of default, hard-coded, or other values that do not vary for each installation of the product - especially for separate organizations.
Phases : Architecture and Design
Force the administrator to change the credential upon installation.
Phases : Installation // Operation
The product administrator could change the defaults upon installation or during operation.

Vulnerability Mapping Notes

Justification : This CWE entry is at the Base level of abstraction, which is a preferred level of abstraction for mapping to the root causes of vulnerabilities.
Comment : Carefully read both the name and description to ensure that this mapping is an appropriate fit. Do not try to 'force' a mapping to a lower-level Base/Variant simply to comply with this preferred level of abstraction.

References

REF-1283

OT:ICEFALL: The legacy of "insecure by design" and its implications for certifications and risk management
Forescout Vedere Labs.
https://www.forescout.com/resources/ot-icefall-report/

Submission

Name Organization Date Date release Version
CWE Content Team MITRE 2022-10-07 +00:00 2022-10-13 +00:00 4.9

Modifications

Name Organization Date Comment
CWE Content Team MITRE 2023-01-31 +00:00 updated Applicable_Platforms, Demonstrative_Examples, Observed_Examples, References
CWE Content Team MITRE 2023-04-27 +00:00 updated Relationships
CWE Content Team MITRE 2023-06-29 +00:00 updated Mapping_Notes
CWE Content Team MITRE 2024-11-19 +00:00 updated Observed_Examples
CWE Content Team MITRE 2025-12-11 +00:00 updated Observed_Examples, Relationships, Weakness_Ordinalities
The information presented on CVE Find originates from several carefully selected reference sources. CVE data is provided by MITRE Corporation and the National Vulnerability Database (NVD). The Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog is sourced from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), while EPSS scores come from FIRST.org. Additionally, data regarding software weaknesses (CWE) and common attack patterns (CAPEC) is maintained by MITRE Corporation, and information on hardware and software configurations (CPE) is provided by the NVD.