A Huawei switch acts as the gatekeeper to your network, yet 60% of unauthorized breaches originate from weak or unchanged passwords. Whether you’re onboarding new IT staff or responding to a security audit, knowing how to change password in Huawei switch isn’t just technical hygiene—it’s a firewall against credential-based attacks. This walkthrough skips generic advice to deliver tactical steps for password rotation, privilege escalation safeguards, and post-update vulnerability checks. Let’s turn a routine password reset into a proactive security upgrade.
Step 1: Accessing the Right Configuration Mode
Avoid the “Admin Trap”:
Logging in via SSH or console with admin privileges is step zero, but outdated firmware often retains default credentials in hidden backup accounts. Always start with display version to confirm your switch’s software version—some legacy models require super password elevation before allowing user-level changes.
Password Types Demystified:
Huawei switches distinguish between console, VTY (remote access), and privileged (super) passwords. To modify the console password:
system-view
user-interface console 0
authentication-mode password
set authentication password cipher [New_Password] But here’s the catch: Using cipher alone doesn’t encrypt the password unless admin privileges are properly demoted afterward. Always test access after changes with quit and re-login.
Step 2: Securing Remote Management Passwords
VTY Lines: The Hacker’s Favorite Entry Point
Remote access via Telnet/SSH uses VTY lines. To update these:
user-interface vty 0 4
authentication-mode aaa
quit
aaa
local-user [Username] password irreversible-cipher [New_Password] The irreversible-cipher option matters—it hashes passwords using SHA-256 instead of reversible AES, making brute-force attacks impractical. But this only works if you’ve disabled outdated protocols like Telnet first with protocol inbound ssh.
Privilege Separation Tactics:
Create a tiered access model to limit damage from compromised credentials:
local-user backup-admin service-type ssh
level 3
password irreversible-cipher [Backup_Pass] Level 15 grants full control, while Level 3 restricts users to display commands only. This ensures junior staff can’t accidentally (or maliciously) alter configurations.
Step 3: Post-Update Security Audits
Shadow Accounts & Backdoor Checks
After changing passwords, run display local-user to list all active accounts. Hackers often create hidden users like sysmon or guest with elevated rights. Delete suspicious entries with undo local-user [Username].
Session Hijacking Prevention
Force active sessions to re-authenticate with new credentials:
reset ssh server all
reset telnet server all Without this step, attackers maintaining persistent connections bypass your shiny new password.
Logging & Alerts Configuration
Enable real-time monitoring of failed login attempts:
info-center enable
info-center logbuffer
ssh server audit enable
ssh user [Username] audit-event login-fail This triggers SNMP traps or emails after three consecutive failed logins—a critical alert for brute-force attack detection.
Beyond Passwords: Multi-Layer Defense
AAA Authentication Integration
Link your switch to RADIUS/TACACS+ servers for centralized credential management:
aaa
scheme radius
primary authentication [Server_IP]
key shared [Encrypted_Key] This allows instant password revocation across all network devices if a team member leaves.
Automated Password Expiry Policies
Enforce quarterly rotations using:
local-user [Username] password expire-interval 90 Users receive warnings at login 15 days before expiration—a nudge to update credentials proactively.
Firmware Backdoors: The Overlooked Risk
Some compromised firmware versions store passwords in plaintext within crash logs. Regularly update systems with:
ftp [Server_IP]
get [Firmware_File]
startup system-software [File_Name] Post-upgrade, verify password encryption with display current-configuration | include cipher.
Password Management: Your First Line of Defense
Resetting a Huawei switch password is more than typing a few CLI commands—it’s about closing loopholes in authentication protocols, eliminating shadow access points, and aligning with zero-trust principles. Every unchanged default credential is a welcome mat for attackers, while every properly hashed password and tiered privilege account shrinks your attack surface. So, when was the last time your switch’s passwords weren’t just changed, but strategically hardened?
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