Description
RuggedCom Rugged Operating System (ROS) 3.10.x and earlier has a factory account with a password derived from the MAC Address field in the banner, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access by performing a calculation on this address value, and then establishing a (1) TELNET, (2) remote shell (aka rsh), or (3) serial-console session.
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Metasploit 1 module
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RuggedCom Telnet Password Generator
auxiliary/scanner/telnet/telnet_ruggedcom
Exploit-DB 1
- RuggedCom Devices - Backdoor Access EDB-18779 · remote · Apr 24, 2012
GitHub 1 repository
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x3roxismygood/CVE-2012-1803 ★ 0 · May 25, 2026
Critical vulnerability in Siemens RuggedCom ROS devices allowing attackers to derive a hidden factory account password from the device MAC address and gain unauthorized administrative access via TELN…
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- ICSA-12-146-01A RuggedCom Weak Cryptography for Password Vulnerability CISA ICS & IT advisories · Jun 17, 2025
References
- http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/04/ruggedcom-backdoor/
- 18779 exploit
- ruggedcom-operating-system-backdoor(75120) vdb-entry
- VU#889195 third-party-advisory
- 20120423 RuggedCom - Backdoor Accounts in my SCADA network? You don't say... mailing-list
- http://www.ruggedcom.com/productbulletin/ros-security-page/
- http://www.us-cert.gov/control_systems/pdf/ICS-ALERT-12-116-01A.pdf
- http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/MAPG-8RCPEN
- 20120423 RuggedCom - Backdoor Accounts in my SCADA network? You don't say... mailing-list
- http://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-12-146-01A
- http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2012/04/backdoor-in-mission-critical-hardware-threatens-power-traffic-control-systems.ars
- 53215 vdb-entry