CVE-2016-8717 in AWK-3131A
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerability exists in the Moxa AWK-3131A Wireless Access Point running firmware 1.1. The device operating system contains an undocumented, privileged (root) account with hard-coded credentials, giving attackers full control of affected devices.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2020
The CVE-2016-8717 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Moxa AWK-3131A Wireless Access Point devices running firmware version 1.1. This issue falls under the category of hardcoded credentials, a well-documented weakness that has been consistently identified in industrial and IoT devices. The vulnerability stems from the device's operating system containing an undocumented privileged account with hard-coded credentials, creating an inherent backdoor that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms. This type of flaw is particularly dangerous because it eliminates the need for attackers to perform complex exploitation techniques or social engineering attacks to gain administrative access. The presence of such a hard-coded account with root privileges indicates a fundamental failure in secure development practices and proper access control implementation.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability manifests through the existence of a privileged account that is pre-configured within the device firmware itself. This account operates with root-level privileges, granting attackers complete control over the device's operating system and all its functionalities. The hard-coded nature of the credentials means that these authentication details are embedded directly into the firmware code rather than being dynamically generated or securely stored. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by simply attempting to log in with the known credentials, bypassing all standard authentication mechanisms including password policies, account lockout features, and multi-factor authentication. The undocumented nature of this account means that legitimate administrators are often unaware of its existence, making detection and remediation significantly more challenging.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access. Once an attacker gains root access to the Moxa AWK-3131A device, they can manipulate network configurations, install malicious software, monitor network traffic, and potentially use the device as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to achieve persistent access to critical network infrastructure, particularly concerning industrial wireless access points that often serve as gateways to operational technology networks. The implications are severe in industrial environments where these devices may be used to control critical processes, as attackers could potentially disrupt operations, steal sensitive data, or cause physical damage to equipment. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish command and control channels, making it particularly dangerous for network security and incident response teams.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8717 must focus on immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves updating the device firmware to a version that removes or properly secures the hard-coded account, though this requires verification that the device manufacturer has addressed the vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of exploitation, ensuring that even if one device is compromised, attackers cannot easily move laterally through the network. Regular security assessments and network monitoring should be conducted to detect unauthorized access attempts, with particular attention to login activities and unusual network behavior. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a clear violation of security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards. Organizations should also implement comprehensive device inventory management to identify all instances of this vulnerable hardware and ensure that proper security controls are maintained across all network infrastructure components.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure development practices and proper credential management in network infrastructure devices. The presence of hard-coded credentials in production firmware indicates a failure in the security testing and code review processes, as such flaws should be identified and remediated during the development lifecycle. The attack surface created by this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass to include potential data exfiltration, network disruption, and operational technology compromise. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of broader industrial control system security assessments and ensure that all network devices undergo proper security verification before deployment. The incident also highlights the need for regular firmware updates and the importance of maintaining current security patches to address known vulnerabilities in industrial network infrastructure components.