CVE-2025-35042

Comprehensive Technical Analysis of CVE-2025-35042

1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation

CVE ID: CVE-2025-35042 CISA Vulnerability Name: CVE-2025-35042 CVSS Score: 9.8

The vulnerability in Airship AI Acropolis involves the presence of a default administrative account with static credentials across all installations. This default account, if not changed, allows remote attackers to gain administrative privileges by simply logging in with the known default credentials. The CVSS score of 9.8 indicates a critical severity, highlighting the significant risk posed by this vulnerability.

2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods

Attack Vectors:

• Remote Access: Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely by attempting to log in using the default administrative credentials.
• Automated Scanning: Attackers may use automated tools to scan for instances of Airship AI Acropolis and attempt to log in using the default credentials.
• Credential Stuffing: Attackers can leverage the known default credentials to perform credential stuffing attacks, attempting to access multiple instances of the software.

Exploitation Methods:

• Brute Force Attacks: Attackers can use brute force techniques to guess the default credentials if they are not already known.
• Phishing: Attackers may use phishing techniques to trick administrators into revealing the default credentials.
• Social Engineering: Attackers can use social engineering tactics to obtain the default credentials from unsuspecting users.

3. Affected Systems and Software Versions

Affected Software:

• Airship AI Acropolis versions prior to 10.2.35, 11.0.21, and 11.1.9.

Affected Systems:

• Any system running the vulnerable versions of Airship AI Acropolis.
• Systems that have not changed the default administrative account credentials.

4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Immediate Actions:

• Change Default Credentials: Immediately change the default administrative account credentials to strong, unique passwords.
• Update Software: Upgrade to the patched versions (10.2.35, 11.0.21, or 11.1.9) of Airship AI Acropolis.

Long-Term Strategies:

• Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits to identify and mitigate default or weak credentials.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA for administrative accounts to add an extra layer of security.
• Network Segmentation: Segment the network to limit the exposure of administrative interfaces to trusted networks only.
• Monitoring and Alerts: Implement monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect and respond to unauthorized access attempts.

5. Impact on Cybersecurity Landscape

The presence of default administrative credentials is a common but critical vulnerability that can lead to severe security breaches. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper configuration management and the need for organizations to prioritize security best practices. The high CVSS score of 9.8 indicates the potential for widespread and significant impact if exploited, making it a priority for immediate remediation.

6. Technical Details for Security Professionals

Vulnerability Details:

• Default Credentials: The default administrative account uses the same credentials across all installations, making it a high-value target for attackers.
• Remote Exploitation: The vulnerability can be exploited remotely, increasing the risk of unauthorized access.

Detection and Response:

• Log Analysis: Review login logs for any unauthorized access attempts using the default credentials.
• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Deploy IDS to detect and alert on suspicious login activities.
• Incident Response Plan: Develop and implement an incident response plan to quickly address any unauthorized access incidents.

Patch Management:

• Automated Updates: Ensure that automated update mechanisms are in place to apply patches as soon as they are released.
• Patch Verification: Verify that the patches have been successfully applied and that the default credentials have been changed.

Conclusion: CVE-2025-35042 represents a critical vulnerability in Airship AI Acropolis that requires immediate attention. Organizations must prioritize changing default credentials and updating to the patched versions to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access. Implementing robust security practices and continuous monitoring will help in maintaining a secure environment.

References:

• CSAF JSON File
• CVE Record