CVE-2012-4712 in EDR-G903
Summary
by MITRE
Moxa EDR-G903 series routers with firmware before 2.11 have a hardcoded account, which allows remote attackers to obtain unspecified device access via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2018
The Moxa EDR-G903 series routers represent industrial networking equipment designed for secure communication in critical infrastructure environments. These devices operate as gateways connecting industrial networks to enterprise systems, making their security paramount for operational technology environments. The vulnerability resides within the firmware implementation where hardcoded credentials exist, creating a persistent backdoor access mechanism that bypasses normal authentication procedures. This flaw affects firmware versions prior to 2.11, indicating that the vulnerability was introduced early in the product lifecycle and remained unaddressed for an extended period. The hardcoded account represents a fundamental security misconfiguration that violates the principle of least privilege and proper credential management practices.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the inclusion of static username and password combinations within the device firmware itself, rather than implementing dynamic authentication mechanisms. This hardcoded account allows remote attackers to establish connections without requiring knowledge of legitimate user credentials or successful exploitation of other vulnerabilities. The unspecified access vectors suggest that the attack surface may include multiple protocols or interfaces, potentially encompassing web management interfaces, telnet, ssh, or other administrative protocols. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a classic example of insecure configuration management in embedded systems. The remote accessibility of this account means that attackers can exploit the vulnerability from outside the network perimeter, eliminating the need for physical access or prior network compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential disruption of industrial control systems and compromise of operational technology networks. In industrial environments, these routers often serve as critical communication bridges between supervisory control and data acquisition systems, manufacturing execution systems, and enterprise resource planning applications. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate network traffic, redirect communications, or gain access to sensitive operational data. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple firmware versions suggests a systemic issue in the development lifecycle, indicating potential gaps in security testing and code review processes. This flaw could facilitate advanced persistent threats targeting critical infrastructure, as the hardcoded credentials provide a reliable method for maintaining long-term access to industrial networks. The attack vector implications align with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts used for lateral movement within networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to version 2.11 or later, which should contain patched implementations of authentication mechanisms. Network administrators must conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices within their operational technology environments, as these routers may be deployed in remote locations where physical access is challenging. The remediation process should include thorough network segmentation and access control implementation to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should implement continuous monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing industrial control system compromises. Additionally, organizations should conduct security assessments to identify other hardcoded credentials within their industrial control systems, as this vulnerability represents a broader pattern of insecure configuration practices in operational technology environments. The incident highlights the critical importance of secure development practices and proper credential management in industrial networking equipment, emphasizing the need for robust security testing throughout the product lifecycle.