CVE-2016-5819 in G3100V2
Summary
by MITRE
Moxa G3100V2 Series, editions prior to Version 2.8, and OnCell G3111/G3151/G3211/G3251 Series, editions prior to Version 1.7 allows a reflected cross-site scripting attack which may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the user?s browser within the trust relationship between their browser and the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5819 affects Moxa G3100V2 Series devices and OnCell G3111/G3151/G3211/G3251 Series devices running firmware versions prior to specified thresholds. This security flaw represents a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that undermines the fundamental security principles of web-based network management interfaces. The affected devices are industrial networking products designed for remote monitoring and management, making them attractive targets for cyber adversaries seeking to compromise industrial control systems. The vulnerability exists within the web user interface components of these devices, specifically in how they handle input parameters from HTTP requests.
The technical implementation of this reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web server component of the affected Moxa devices. When a user submits a request containing malicious script code through a parameter that is subsequently reflected back in the HTTP response without proper sanitization, the browser executes this code within the context of the authenticated session. This behavior violates the core security principle of input sanitization and demonstrates a classic weakness in web application security architecture. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload must be delivered through a crafted URL or form submission that the victim clicks, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions, steal authentication tokens, and potentially gain unauthorized access to the industrial network management interfaces. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on behalf of authenticated users, potentially leading to complete compromise of the device and its networked environment. The trust relationship between the user's browser and the server is fundamentally compromised, allowing malicious actors to perform actions such as changing device configurations, accessing sensitive network information, or redirecting traffic to malicious endpoints. This vulnerability particularly threatens industrial environments where these devices are deployed for critical infrastructure monitoring, as it could enable attackers to disrupt operations or gain access to sensitive operational data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5819 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Moxa to versions that address the reflected XSS vulnerability. Network administrators should implement strict input validation policies at the network perimeter and consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting through web shells, and T1566.001, which addresses spearphishing via web links. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their industrial network environments to identify other potentially vulnerable devices and implement network segmentation to limit the impact of successful exploitation. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect similar weaknesses in other industrial control systems and network infrastructure components.