CVE-2016-8725 in AWK-3131A
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable information disclosure vulnerability exists in the Web Application functionality of the Moxa AWK-3131A wireless access point running firmware 1.1. Retrieving a specific URL without authentication can reveal sensitive information to an attacker.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2022
The CVE-2016-8725 vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Moxa AWK-3131A wireless access point device, specifically affecting firmware version 1.1. This vulnerability resides in the web application functionality of the device, which serves as the primary interface for configuration and management operations. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive system information through a specifically crafted URL request, bypassing the normal authentication mechanisms that should protect such data. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as it enables unauthorized data exposure without requiring any valid credentials or access privileges. The affected device operates in industrial networking environments where security is paramount, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on Moxa wireless access points for critical infrastructure operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the web application layer of the Moxa AWK-3131A. The device's web interface fails to properly validate requests for specific URLs that contain sensitive system information, allowing any remote attacker to construct malicious requests that bypass authentication checks. This flaw typically manifests when an attacker accesses a particular URI endpoint that should only be accessible to authenticated administrators, yet the application fails to enforce proper authorization controls. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses improper output filtering and information exposure, and more broadly under CWE-285, addressing improper authorization in the application's access control implementation. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the network without prior access credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8725 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed data can provide attackers with valuable insights for subsequent attacks. The sensitive information potentially accessible through this vulnerability may include device configuration parameters, system logs, network settings, user credentials, or other administrative data that could be leveraged to escalate privileges or conduct further exploitation. Attackers can use the disclosed information to map the network topology, identify other vulnerable devices, or craft more sophisticated attacks against the same or related systems. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1082, Information Discovery, where adversaries gather system and network information to understand the environment they are targeting. The exposure of such information can lead to cascading security incidents, particularly in industrial control systems where Moxa devices are commonly deployed, potentially compromising entire network segments or critical infrastructure operations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability, starting with firmware updates from Moxa if available, though specific patches for this CVE may be limited given the age of the affected firmware version. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate the affected devices from critical network segments, and access controls should be enforced through firewalls or network access control lists to restrict access to the device's web interface. The principle of least privilege should be applied to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the device management interfaces, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network devices. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious URL access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and network administrators should regularly review device logs for signs of unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation and the need for regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices to prevent unauthorized information disclosure that could compromise overall network security posture.