CVE-2016-5804 in MGate MB3180
Summary
by MITRE
Moxa MGate MB3180 before 1.8, MGate MB3280 before 2.7, MGate MB3480 before 2.6, MGate MB3170 before 2.5, and MGate MB3270 before 2.7 use weak encryption, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via a brute-force series of guesses for a parameter value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5804 affects several Moxa MGate series industrial communication devices including MB3180, MB3280, MB3480, MB3170, and MB3270 models. These devices operate within industrial environments where secure communication and authentication are critical for maintaining operational integrity. The flaw resides in the authentication mechanism that employs weak encryption algorithms, creating a significant security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers without physical access to the system. This vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in cryptographic implementation that undermines the security posture of industrial control systems.
The technical implementation of the authentication process in these Moxa devices relies on insufficiently strong encryption methods that can be systematically defeated through brute-force attacks. Attackers can exploit this weakness by making repeated guesses of parameter values, leveraging the predictable nature of the weak encryption scheme. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication parameters that are used to verify user credentials or device access rights, allowing unauthorized individuals to bypass the normal authentication procedures. This weakness aligns with CWE-326, which addresses the use of weak encryption algorithms, and represents a direct violation of security best practices for authentication mechanisms. The brute-force nature of the attack means that attackers can systematically work through possible parameter combinations until they discover the correct values.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it compromises the integrity of industrial communication systems that are often critical infrastructure components. In industrial environments, these devices typically facilitate communication between various control systems, sensors, and network components, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to disrupt operations or gain access to sensitive operational data. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target these devices from outside the physical facility, potentially leading to significant operational disruptions, data breaches, or even safety hazards in industrial processes. This vulnerability directly impacts the principles of authentication and access control as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as the weak authentication can be exploited to establish unauthorized access to industrial control systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided firmware updates that address the weak encryption implementation, implementing network segmentation to limit access to these devices, and deploying additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication where possible. The remediation process should also include conducting security assessments of all industrial communication devices to identify similar vulnerabilities and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts. Network administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically designed for industrial environments to monitor for brute-force attack patterns and anomalous authentication attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in industrial environments and demonstrates the critical need for robust cryptographic implementations in networked industrial control systems.