Mrs_Tumnus

Q: Security of AirPort Utility

I would like to know what protection is in place for administrative access to the AirPort via LAN connection. Does the app - Mac and Windows versions - encrypt the connection over port 5353?

 

I can't seem to find any documentation on this.

 

Hoping someone can help :-)

Posted on Oct 28, 2013 11:03 AM

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Q: Security of AirPort Utility

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  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 28, 2013 11:48 AM in response to Mrs_Tumnus
    Level 10 (105,079 points)
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    Oct 28, 2013 11:48 AM in response to Mrs_Tumnus

    Administrative access is granted via a device password. AirPort Utility will not be given access to the configuration settings for the AirPort unless the utility enters a password, or has previously stored the admin password.

     

    Unfortunately, anyone who knows anything about an Apple router knows that anyone can reset the passwords on the AirPort device without having adminstrative access to the product.

     

    Does the app - Mac and Windows versions - encrypt the connection over port 5353?

    No

  • by Mrs_Tumnus,

    Mrs_Tumnus Mrs_Tumnus Oct 28, 2013 11:54 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 11:54 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thank you for the response.

     

    Is there a method available for administrative access that does allow for encrypted credential transmission?

     

    With the password reset issue - is there no way to save the running configuration to the start-up to secure against the reset problem?

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 28, 2013 12:00 PM in response to Mrs_Tumnus
    Level 10 (105,079 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 28, 2013 12:00 PM in response to Mrs_Tumnus

    Is there a method available for administrative access that does allow for encrypted credential transmission?

    No

     

    is there no way to save the running configuration to the start-up to secure against the reset problem?

    No, but it is possible to save the configuration file in AirPort Utility to a location of your choice by Exporting the file, then Importing it at a future time.

     

    This would save having to enter all of the configuration settings again manually, if someone had reset the AirPort router back to factory default settings.