CVE-2017-12121 in EDR-810
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable command injection vulnerability exists in the web server functionality of Moxa EDR-810 V4.1 build 17030317. A specially crafted HTTP POST can cause a privilege escalation resulting in root shell. An attacker can inject OS commands into the rsakey\_name= parm in the "/goform/WebRSAKEYGen" uri to trigger this vulnerability.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12121 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Moxa EDR-810 network security device running firmware version V4.1 build 17030317. This issue resides in the web server functionality of the device, specifically within the /goform/WebRSAKEYGen URI endpoint where the rsakey_name parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization. The vulnerability enables an attacker to execute arbitrary operating system commands with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise and root shell access. The flaw manifests when a specially crafted HTTP POST request is submitted to the vulnerable endpoint, allowing malicious command injection directly into the command execution pipeline.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a command injection pattern that aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-89, where user-supplied input is improperly handled within a command context. The rsakey_name parameter in the WebRSAKEYGen form processing accepts unfiltered input that gets directly incorporated into system commands without proper escaping or validation. This creates a path where an attacker can append malicious commands to the legitimate parameter value, effectively bypassing normal security controls. The vulnerability occurs at the application layer where web server components interact with underlying operating system functions, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or physical access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Once an attacker achieves root shell access through this command injection, they can manipulate all system resources, install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other network segments. The vulnerability affects industrial network security appliances that are often deployed in critical infrastructure environments, making the potential impact significantly higher than typical consumer or enterprise devices. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation means that this vulnerability can be leveraged by anyone with network access to the device, potentially allowing for widespread compromise in environments where such devices are not properly segmented or protected.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12121 should focus on immediate firmware updates from Moxa to address the root cause of the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical systems and apply firewall rules to restrict access to the vulnerable web interface. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by disabling unnecessary web management interfaces and restricting access to authorized personnel only. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous HTTP POST requests containing suspicious command injection patterns. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, this vulnerability enables adversaries to execute commands through the web interface, while technique T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation demonstrates how the initial access can be leveraged for elevated privileges. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other network security appliances and industrial control systems within the environment.