CVE-2017-12127 in EDR-810
Summary
by MITRE
A password storage vulnerability exists in the operating system functionality of Moxa EDR-810 V4.1 build 17030317. An attacker with shell access could extract passwords in clear text from the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12127 represents a critical password storage weakness within the Moxa EDR-810 V4.1 operating system implementation. This device, designed for industrial network connectivity and protocol conversion, contains a flaw that allows unauthorized extraction of passwords in plaintext format when an attacker gains shell access to the system. The vulnerability specifically impacts the device's credential handling mechanisms and demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure password storage practices.
The technical flaw manifests in the operating system's approach to storing authentication credentials, where passwords are not properly encrypted or hashed before being stored in the device's memory or configuration files. This weakness creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to network resources that rely on the device's authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-522 as "Insufficiently Protected Credentials" and represents a significant deviation from established security best practices for credential management in embedded systems. When an attacker successfully establishes shell access through other means, they can directly read password files or configuration data containing plaintext credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables comprehensive network compromise of industrial environments where the Moxa EDR-810 serves as a critical connectivity node. Attackers can leverage these extracted credentials to gain access to connected systems, potentially leading to broader network infiltration and lateral movement within industrial control networks. The vulnerability's presence in an industrial device creates additional risks for operational technology environments, where the compromise of authentication credentials can lead to unauthorized access to critical infrastructure systems. This weakness directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1566.001 for Spearphishing Attachment, as it provides attackers with legitimate access credentials that can be used to bypass network security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12127 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Moxa to address the underlying password storage implementation. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to devices running vulnerable firmware and establish monitoring for unauthorized shell access attempts. Additional protective measures include regular credential rotation, implementation of multi-factor authentication where possible, and deployment of network access control measures to prevent unauthorized access to industrial network devices. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of industrial control systems to identify similar credential storage weaknesses in other network components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure credential handling in embedded systems and reinforces the need for proper application of security controls as outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards for industrial cybersecurity.