CVE-2016-5812 in OnCell
Summary
by MITRE
Moxa OnCell G3100V2 devices before 2.8 and G3111, G3151, G3211, and G3251 devices before 1.7 use cleartext password storage, which makes it easier for local users to obtain sensitive information by reading a configuration file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5812 affects Moxa OnCell G3100V2 series cellular gateway devices and related models including G3111, G3151, G3151, G3211, and G3251. These industrial networking devices are designed for remote communication and monitoring applications in critical infrastructure environments. The flaw resides in the device's configuration management system where passwords are stored in cleartext format rather than being properly encrypted or hashed. This represents a fundamental security weakness that directly violates established cybersecurity principles for credential protection. The vulnerability impacts devices running firmware versions prior to 2.8 for G3100V2 models and before 1.7 for the G3111, G3151, G3151, G3211, and G3251 models, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors who gain local access to these systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper credential handling within the device's configuration file storage mechanism. When administrators configure authentication credentials for the device, the system fails to apply appropriate cryptographic protection to these sensitive values. Instead, passwords are written directly to configuration files in plain text format, making them immediately accessible to any user with local file system access. This design flaw aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage. The configuration files containing these cleartext credentials are typically stored in locations accessible to local users with minimal privileges, creating an attack vector where unauthorized individuals can easily extract authentication information without requiring complex exploitation techniques. This vulnerability essentially removes any barrier to credential theft, as the information is not only present but also unencrypted and readily readable.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, creating cascading security risks for industrial control systems and remote monitoring networks. Local attackers who gain access to these devices can immediately obtain administrative credentials and use them to compromise the entire network infrastructure managed by these gateways. The stolen credentials can be used to access not only the device itself but potentially other systems within the network that trust the compromised device. This represents a critical weakness in the defense-in-depth strategy, as the vulnerability allows attackers to escalate privileges and maintain persistent access to industrial networks. The vulnerability also creates audit and compliance challenges, as organizations may fail to meet regulatory requirements for secure credential storage. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1003.001 (OS Credential Dumping) and T1566.001 (Phishing for Information), as it provides attackers with an easy method to obtain credentials without complex social engineering or exploitation techniques. The impact is particularly severe in industrial environments where these devices often serve as gateways to critical infrastructure, making them prime targets for nation-state actors and organized cybercriminal groups.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5812 require immediate firmware updates to the affected device models to address the cleartext password storage issue. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected devices to the latest firmware versions that implement proper cryptographic protection for stored credentials. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit local access to these devices, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the configuration files directly. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough audits of device configurations to identify any existing cleartext credentials that may have been compromised. Regular monitoring of network traffic and system logs should be implemented to detect any unauthorized access attempts or credential misuse. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege, where local access should be restricted to only essential personnel. Organizations should also implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular security assessments of industrial control systems to identify similar weaknesses in other networked devices. The remediation process must also include reissuing credentials for any devices that may have been compromised and conducting security awareness training for personnel who handle these critical network infrastructure components.