CVE-2016-9346 in MiiNePort
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Moxa MiiNePort E1 versions prior to 1.8, E2 versions prior to 1.4, and E3 versions prior to 1.1. Configuration data are stored in a file that is not encrypted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9346 represents a critical security flaw in Moxa MiiNePort series industrial network devices that affects multiple hardware variants including E1, E2, and E3 models. This issue stems from improper handling of sensitive configuration data within the device's file system, where critical system parameters and network settings are stored in unencrypted format. The vulnerability impacts devices running firmware versions prior to specific thresholds, with E1 models affected by versions before 1.8, E2 models before 1.4, and E3 models before 1.1, indicating a widespread issue across Moxa's industrial networking product line.
The technical flaw manifests in the device's configuration management system where administrative credentials, network configurations, firewall rules, and other sensitive operational parameters are persisted to storage media without encryption mechanisms. This design oversight creates a persistent security risk where any individual with physical access to the device or network-level access to the configuration files can directly extract and read the stored data. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling, and represents a classic example of inadequate data protection at rest. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to network infrastructure by simply reading the unencrypted configuration files, potentially compromising entire industrial control systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to gain deep insights into the network topology, device configurations, and security policies implemented within the industrial environment. In industrial control systems where Moxa devices are commonly deployed, this exposure can lead to sophisticated attacks targeting operational technology networks, potentially enabling lateral movement and privilege escalation within critical infrastructure environments. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to understand network segmentation, identify vulnerable endpoints, and develop targeted exploitation strategies against other systems within the same operational environment. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and discovery of system information, enabling subsequent phases of attack such as privilege escalation and lateral movement.
Organizations utilizing affected Moxa devices should immediately implement firmware updates to versions 1.8, 1.4, and 1.1 respectively for E1, E2, and E3 models, as these releases contain the necessary encryption mechanisms for configuration data storage. Network administrators should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices within their industrial control networks, implementing additional monitoring and access controls around configuration file access. Physical security measures should be reinforced to prevent unauthorized access to device management interfaces, while network segmentation strategies should be enhanced to limit potential attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management practices in industrial environments and underscores the necessity of implementing encryption for all sensitive data at rest, particularly in critical infrastructure deployments where the consequences of security breaches can be severe.