Can I override the wifi hub's minimal password requirements?

[kesterlester]

In order to rescue a filesystem on an embedded device, I need to fool it into thinking it is "at work" so that I can ssh into it and fix thing.   As I am at home, I thought I would just set up the secondary wifi on my virgin hub to match the same SSID and Password the embedded device sees at work. However the hub is preventing me from setting the secondary wifi password to the value used at work, because the hub doesn't think the password is strong enough.  (I.e. it doesn't contain the right number of letters or special characters, etc).

Is there any way of bypassing its determination to protect me from myself?

I just want the hub to let me choose a (slightly insecure) password for a short while.  Attached is the complaint it makes:

[Cynric]

@fmconte  If this is a problem then get a password manager app. Most have versions for different operating systems, for example there is one called 1Password (paid for) which I like. There are also free ones and a quick internet search will find reviews of the most common types.

As an alternative, there is a site that generates secure easy to remember passwords here; https://www.correcthorsebatterystaple.net/index.html 

Also an easy to understand explanation as to why password length matters; https://xkcd.com/936/

[Getafix]

@fmconte I have just used Android version 4.6.7 to change the SSID and Password for the Guest.

[Jayach]

There may be another way to overcome the latest restrictions on password length

Disconnect the THG3000 (don't know if it will work on the Ultra hub) from the internet, and factory reset it.

Then log in (using the default username and password printed on the bottom of the router) and make any changes you require (the password restrictions should be the less stringent default ones) You can also at this point select your own Wi-Fi channels, should you wish.

Then connect back to the internet, and the settings you have changed should be retained. Obviously another factory reset will change them again, but how often does one do a factory reset in normal use?

If anyone does try it, let us know if it works.

[Getafix]

@Jayach might try that as Test.

Changed the Guest Password on App 4.6.7 successfully.

[Getafix]

@Jayach that did not work. But changing it via App (Android v4.6.7) does work.

[Jayach]

@Getafix 

Yes, I've just tried it myself, it looks like the recent firmware update has enforced that rule.

Like you, I had to use the app to put my 8 digit password back on.

[Cynric]

Just my 2p as a sad BoF, but do think of your security. Not all routers are Fort Knox and if the supplier hasn't sent you the latest patch then you could be making problems for yourself.

Am I nuts? Well just look in the logs at all the opportunistic probes that hit your WAN daily.

[Jayach]

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@Cynric wrote:
Am I nuts? Well just look in the logs at all the opportunistic probes that hit your WAN daily.

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Yes, but we are talking about the Wi-Fi password here.

It's the job of the firewall to keep those "bad actors" out, and no one is suggesting weakening that.

[Cynric]

@Jayach  I'll have to show you some WiFi sniffing software some time.