Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Cybersecurity
    • Cybersecurity
    • Storage

    Seagate Patches for 3 Backdoor Security Vulnerabilities

    By
    Sean Michael Kerner
    -
    September 8, 2015
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin
      Seagate security patches

      Although wireless hard drives provide a convenient, untethered way to back up data, it’s still critically important to keep the firmware on the wireless drives up-to-date. Seagate is advising users of its Wireless Mobile Storage and LaCie FUEL hard drives to update the embedded firmware to patch for multiple known vulnerabilities that could potentially enable a remote attacker to gain unauthorized access to a user’s information.

      In new firmware updates, Seagate is patching for three vulnerabilities (CVE-2015-2874, CVE-2015-2875 and CVE-2015-2876). Researchers from Tangible Security reported the vulnerabilities on March 28 to Seagate, which patched them on Sept. 1. According to Tangible Security, the flaws have been present in Seagate’s devices since October 2014.

      Among the flaws that Seagate is patching is a hard-coded administrative credentials issue (CVE-2015-2874). The hard-coded credentials included a default administrative account with the username and password of “root.” To add further insult to injury, the hard-coded credentials were included in an undocumented component of the Seagate firmware that enabled Telnet services. Security experts widely regard Telnet as an insecure protocol that should not be used because it doesn’t encrypt data.

      Tangible Security warned that the impact of the CVE-2015-2874 vulnerability is that an attacker could take control of a user’s hard drive and also potentially use the device as a base from which to launch other attacks.

      Another patched issue (CVE-2015-2875) is a direct-request, forced-browsing flaw.

      “Under a default configuration, Seagate wireless hard drives provide an unrestricted file download capability to anonymous attackers with wireless access to the device,” CERT warns in a vulnerability note.

      The third issue that Seagate is patching, CVE-2015-2876, is an “unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type” flaw. The issue is that the unpatched firmeware allows access to a section of the hard drive that is intended to be used for file-sharing.

      “This vulnerability requires attackers to be within range of the device’s wireless network who can upload files onto it,” Tangible Security warns in its advisory. “If such files were maliciously crafted, they could compromise other endpoints when the files are opened,” to protect against known security vulnerabilities.”

      Seagate Wireless Mobile Storage, Wireless Plus Mobile Storage and LaCie FUEL device owners should update their drives with the new 3.4.1.105 firmware version, which patches all three security issues. While the CERT advisory only covers three devices as being affected, Tangible Security warns that the risk may potentially extend further.

      “With products from large vendors, such as Seagate, there tend to be numerous product names for basically the same product under the same vendor’s name or [that of] another vendor,” Tangible stated. “Tangible Security cannot enumerate all of the named products as well as Seagate. Other named products may be affected. “

      Sean Michael Kerner is a senior editor at eWEEK and InternetNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @TechJournalist.

      Sean Michael Kerner
      Sean Michael Kerner is an Internet consultant, strategist, and contributor to several leading IT business web sites.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×