CVE-2017-13698 in EDS-G512E
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on MOXA EDS-G512E 5.1 build 16072215 devices. An attacker could extract public and private keys from the firmware image available on the MOXA website and could use them against a production switch that has the default keys embedded.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13698 affects MOXA EDS-G512E network switches running firmware version 5.1 build 16072215. This represents a critical security flaw that stems from the improper handling of cryptographic keys within the device firmware. The vulnerability allows attackers to extract both public and private cryptographic keys from firmware images that are publicly available on MOXA's official website, creating a significant risk for deployed devices that utilize default key configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exposure of embedded cryptographic materials within the firmware image itself. Attackers can download the publicly accessible firmware from MOXA's website and perform reverse engineering operations to extract the cryptographic keys. This weakness directly relates to CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues, specifically focusing on the exposure of sensitive cryptographic keys. The flaw demonstrates poor key management practices where default cryptographic materials are embedded in firmware without proper protection mechanisms, making them accessible to anyone with basic reverse engineering capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the security of network communications. When production switches are deployed with default keys, they become vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, unauthorized device access, and potential network compromise. The extracted private keys can be used to impersonate legitimate devices, decrypt network traffic, or establish unauthorized communication channels. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.004, which covers credentials from password stores, and represents a significant escalation path for attackers who can leverage these keys to gain deeper access to network infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive key rotation procedures across all affected MOXA EDS-G512E devices. The recommended mitigation strategy involves replacing default cryptographic keys with strong, unique key pairs generated specifically for each device deployment. Network administrators should also implement firmware integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized firmware modifications and establish secure key distribution processes. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all affected devices and ensure that firmware updates are applied to address the key exposure issue. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper cryptographic key lifecycle management and demonstrates how default configurations can create persistent security risks in network infrastructure deployments.