CVE-2017-13700 in EDS-G512E
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on MOXA EDS-G512E 5.1 build 16072215 devices. There is XSS in the administration interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13700 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the administrative web interface of MOXA EDS-G512E network switches running firmware version 5.1 build 16072215. This issue exposes the device to potential exploitation by malicious actors who can manipulate the web-based management interface to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of authenticated users. The vulnerability specifically affects the device's administration console where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to the browser. Such weaknesses in web application security architecture create opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code that can compromise the device's administrative functions and potentially escalate privileges within the network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface components of the MOXA EDS-G512E device. When administrators or authorized users interact with the management console, the system fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into HTML responses. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that can be executed within the browser context of legitimate users accessing the administration interface. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the web server component that serves the administrative web pages, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users with legitimate access credentials. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical web application security weakness that enables attackers to execute scripts in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete compromise of the network switch's administrative functions. An attacker who successfully exploits this XSS vulnerability can manipulate the device's configuration settings, potentially redirecting traffic, modifying network policies, or creating backdoor access points within the network infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that network switches serve as critical components in enterprise and industrial network architectures, where unauthorized access can result in significant disruption of network services and potential data breaches. Additionally, the vulnerability can be leveraged for credential theft if users are logged into the administrative interface when the malicious payload executes, potentially compromising the entire network security posture.
Organizations utilizing MOXA EDS-G512E devices should prioritize immediate remediation through firmware updates provided by MOXA to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit administrative access to the device to only authorized personnel. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads before they reach the affected web interface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure components. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers web application attacks and emphasizes the need for proper input validation and output encoding in web applications to prevent such exploitation vectors. Organizations should also implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates for network equipment to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in operational environments.