CVE-2016-9348 in NPort
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Moxa NPort 5110 versions prior to 2.6, NPort 5130/5150 Series versions prior to 3.6, NPort 5200 Series versions prior to 2.8, NPort 5400 Series versions prior to 3.11, NPort 5600 Series versions prior to 3.7, NPort 5100A Series & NPort P5150A versions prior to 1.3, NPort 5200A Series versions prior to 1.3, NPort 5150AI-M12 Series versions prior to 1.2, NPort 5250AI-M12 Series versions prior to 1.2, NPort 5450AI-M12 Series versions prior to 1.2, NPort 5600-8-DT Series versions prior to 2.4, NPort 5600-8-DTL Series versions prior to 2.4, NPort 6x50 Series versions prior to 1.13.11, NPort IA5450A versions prior to v1.4. A configuration file contains parameters that represent passwords in plaintext.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9348 represents a critical security flaw in Moxa network infrastructure devices across multiple product lines including NPort 5110, 5130/5150, 5200, 5400, 5600, 5100A, 5200A, 5150AI-M12, 5250AI-M12, 5450AI-M12, 5600-8-DT, 5600-8-DTL, 6x50, and IA5450A series. This issue stems from improper handling of authentication credentials within the device configuration files, where passwords are stored in plaintext format rather than being properly encrypted or hashed. The vulnerability affects numerous versions of these industrial network devices, with specific version thresholds provided for each product line, indicating a widespread exposure across Moxa's industrial networking portfolio. This configuration flaw fundamentally undermines the security posture of these devices by making authentication credentials immediately accessible to any attacker with access to the configuration files.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of credentials in plaintext format. The flaw operates at the configuration management level where device administrators configure network parameters including authentication credentials, which are then stored in configuration files without adequate protection. This represents a fundamental failure in secure configuration management practices and violates industry best practices for credential storage. The plaintext storage of passwords means that any individual with access to the device's file system or configuration files can immediately extract and utilize these credentials for unauthorized access to the network infrastructure. The vulnerability exists in the device's configuration file handling mechanism where no cryptographic protection is applied to authentication parameters during storage, creating an attack surface that is particularly dangerous in industrial environments where these devices often control critical network communications.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9348 is severe and multifaceted across industrial control systems and network infrastructure deployments. Attackers who gain access to the device configuration files can immediately obtain valid credentials for network access, potentially enabling them to compromise entire network segments controlled by these devices. This vulnerability particularly affects industrial environments where Moxa devices serve as network gateways and protocol converters, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access to critical infrastructure. The exposure of plaintext passwords in configuration files creates opportunities for lateral movement within networks, as attackers can use these credentials to access other systems that may share similar authentication mechanisms. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as these devices often control critical network communications and may be involved in process control, monitoring, and data acquisition functions within industrial environments, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks including those classified under the ATT&CK framework's credential access and lateral movement techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to address the exposed credentials and implement proper configuration management practices. Organizations should prioritize updating affected devices to the specified minimum versions that contain the necessary patches to address the plaintext storage issue. Additionally, network administrators should implement strict access controls to device configuration files and consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to these critical devices. The remediation process should include immediate credential rotation for all affected devices, ensuring that any previously exposed credentials are invalidated and replaced with new secure authentication parameters. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to device configuration files, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potential credential exposure vulnerabilities within the industrial network infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the need for proper secure configuration management policies and procedures, including regular audits of device configurations and implementation of automated tools to detect and prevent plaintext credential storage in system files, aligning with security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001 requirements for secure configuration management.