CVE-2015-6466 in EDS-405A
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Diagnosis Ping feature in the administrative web interface on Moxa EDS-405A and EDS-408A switches with firmware before 3.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an unspecified field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2017
The CVE-2015-6466 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the administrative web interface of Moxa EDS-405A and EDS-408A network switches. This vulnerability specifically affects the Diagnosis Ping feature, which is accessible through the device's web management interface. The flaw exists in firmware versions prior to 3.6, indicating that manufacturers released patched versions to address this security weakness. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that malicious actors can exploit this flaw without requiring physical access to the device or network proximity, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network switches are often exposed to untrusted network segments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the Diagnosis Ping functionality. When users interact with the ping feature through the web interface, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into the web response. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content through an unspecified input field, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers who access the affected web interface. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it occurs within the administrative web interface, potentially providing attackers with access to sensitive configuration data and administrative controls. This weakness aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where improper validation of input leads to execution of malicious scripts in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6466 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the network environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or even inject commands that could compromise the entire network switch. The administrative web interface exposure creates a significant attack surface where unauthorized individuals might gain unauthorized access to switch configurations, potentially leading to network disruption, data interception, or further lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects industrial network environments where Moxa switches are commonly deployed, as these devices often control critical network infrastructure and may not be properly secured against external threats.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, including firmware updates to version 3.6 or later, which contain the necessary security patches. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of these administrative interfaces to untrusted networks, while implementing proper firewall rules to restrict access to the web management ports. Additionally, network administrators should consider disabling unnecessary web management features and implementing monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting through web shells, and T1071.004, which addresses application layer protocols. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web-based administrative interfaces.