CVE-2026-27753: Sodola-network Firmware Auth Bypass Flaw

CVE-2026-27753 Overview

SODOLA SL902-SWTGW124AS firmware versions through 200.1.20 contain an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows remote attackers to perform unlimited login attempts against the management interface. This improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts (CWE-307) enables attackers to conduct online password guessing attacks without account lockout or rate limiting restrictions, potentially leading to unauthorized access to the device management interface.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can brute-force credentials against the management interface without any rate limiting, enabling unauthorized device access and network compromise.

Affected Products

• SODOLA SL902-SWTGW124AS Firmware (versions through 200.1.20)
• SODOLA SL902-SWTGW124AS Hardware Device

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-27 - CVE-2026-27753 published to NVD
• 2026-03-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-27753

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability affects the SODOLA SL902-SWTGW124AS network switch, specifically the web-based management interface authentication mechanism. The firmware fails to implement proper security controls to prevent brute-force attacks against user credentials. Without account lockout policies or rate limiting on authentication requests, an attacker with network access to the management interface can systematically attempt password combinations until valid credentials are discovered.

The vulnerability is classified under CWE-307 (Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts), which describes scenarios where an application permits an attacker to continue guessing credentials without implementing adequate countermeasures. For network infrastructure devices like managed switches, this type of vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can lead to complete device compromise and potential lateral movement within the network.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the firmware's authentication handling logic, which lacks essential security controls for defending against credential-based attacks. The management interface does not track failed login attempts per source IP or user account, nor does it implement any mechanism to temporarily or permanently lock accounts after repeated failures. This design flaw allows unlimited authentication attempts to be made against the device.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring the attacker to have network connectivity to the device's management interface. This could be achieved from the local network or, if the management interface is exposed to the internet, from a remote location. An attacker would typically:

1. Identify the SODOLA SL902-SWTGW124AS management interface on the target network
2. Deploy automated password guessing tools targeting the login endpoint
3. Systematically attempt common or previously leaked passwords against administrator accounts
4. Upon successful authentication, gain full administrative control of the network switch

The lack of rate limiting means password attempts can be executed at high speed, significantly reducing the time required to compromise weak or commonly-used passwords. For more technical details, see the VulnCheck Advisory on SL902.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-27753

Indicators of Compromise

• High volume of failed login attempts to the management interface from single or multiple IP addresses
• Successful login events from unexpected or unauthorized IP addresses following a series of failed attempts
• Unusual administrative activity on the switch after authentication from new network locations
• Spike in HTTP/HTTPS requests to the device's login endpoint

Detection Strategies

• Monitor authentication logs on the SODOLA switch for patterns indicating brute-force activity
• Implement network-level intrusion detection rules to alert on excessive connection attempts to the management port
• Deploy SIEM correlation rules to detect rapid-fire login attempts targeting network infrastructure devices
• Use SentinelOne Singularity to monitor for anomalous network behavior and lateral movement following potential device compromise

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable and centralize logging from all network infrastructure devices including the SODOLA switch
• Configure alerting thresholds for failed authentication attempts within defined time windows
• Implement network segmentation monitoring to detect unauthorized access from compromised network devices
• Review management interface access logs regularly for signs of credential abuse

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-27753

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict management interface access to trusted IP addresses using access control lists (ACLs)
• Place the management interface on a dedicated, isolated VLAN not accessible from untrusted networks
• Implement strong, unique passwords for all administrative accounts on the device
• Consider disabling web-based management and using out-of-band management where possible

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no vendor patch has been identified for this vulnerability. Organizations should monitor the Sodola Network Product Page for firmware updates that address this issue. The VulnCheck Advisory on SL902 may also provide updated remediation guidance.

Workarounds

• Deploy a reverse proxy or web application firewall (WAF) in front of the management interface with built-in rate limiting capabilities
• Configure network firewall rules to limit the rate of connections to the management port
• Use VPN access for remote management rather than exposing the interface directly
• Implement multi-factor authentication at the network layer if the device does not support it natively

# Example: Network ACL to restrict management access (apply at upstream firewall/router)
# Allow management access only from trusted admin subnet
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s 10.10.10.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.10.10.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP