CVE-2017-12125 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 CN= parm in the "/goform/net_WebCSRGen" uri to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12125 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Moxa EDR-810 network device firmware version 4.1 build 17030317. This vulnerability resides in the web server functionality of the device and demonstrates a severe security weakness that can be exploited to achieve privilege escalation. The affected device operates as a network infrastructure component that handles web-based configuration requests, making it a potential target for remote attackers seeking to compromise network security. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the handling of HTTP POST requests directed to the /goform/net_WebCSRGen URI endpoint, which is responsible for certificate signing request generation within the device's web interface. This particular endpoint serves as a critical attack surface since it processes user-supplied input without adequate sanitization or validation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the CN parameter within the Common Name field of the certificate request process. When an attacker crafts a malicious HTTP POST request containing specially formatted command injection payloads within the CN parameter, the device's web server processes this input directly without proper input validation or sanitization. This lack of input sanitization creates a direct pathway for arbitrary command execution on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability follows the CWE-77 principle of command injection, where unvalidated user input is passed directly to system execution functions. The attacker can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary operating system commands with the highest privilege level available on the device, which in this case escalates to root shell access. The exploitation chain typically involves crafting a payload that gets executed by the device's command processing mechanisms, potentially allowing for complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass full system compromise and potential network infiltration. Once an attacker gains root shell access, they can modify device configurations, extract sensitive information, install malicious software, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The Moxa EDR-810 device serves as a network security gateway, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could allow attackers to bypass network security controls and gain unauthorized access to internal network segments. The vulnerability affects the device's authentication and authorization mechanisms, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate the device's certificate management functions and compromise the integrity of the network's security infrastructure. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries execute commands through legitimate system interfaces. The impact is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12125 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-supplied firmware update that patches the command injection vulnerability in the web server functionality. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous HTTP POST requests containing suspicious command injection patterns in certificate-related endpoints. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation controls can help prevent malicious payloads from reaching the vulnerable web server components. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network infrastructure devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly in input validation and command execution handling within embedded web server implementations. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege configurations and regular security audits of network device management interfaces to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.