CVE-2017-13702 in EDS-G512E
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on MOXA EDS-G512E 5.1 build 16072215 devices. Cookies can be stolen, manipulated, and reused.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13702 affects MOXA EDS-G512E network switches running firmware version 5.1 build 16072215. This device operates as a managed network switch with web-based management interfaces that rely on cookie-based authentication mechanisms to maintain user sessions. The flaw resides in the insufficient security measures implemented for session management within the web interface, creating a critical weakness that allows unauthorized parties to exploit the authentication system. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling and transmission of session cookies, which are critical components for maintaining secure user access to network management functionalities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate cookie security attributes and insufficient validation of session tokens within the web application layer of the network switch. When users authenticate to the device through the web interface, the system generates session cookies that should contain sufficient entropy and security markers to prevent unauthorized access. However, the MOXA EDS-G512E device fails to implement proper secure cookie attributes such as HttpOnly, Secure, and SameSite flags. This allows attackers to intercept cookies transmitted over the network and potentially reuse them to assume legitimate user sessions. The vulnerability manifests when network traffic containing session cookies is captured or when attackers can manipulate the cookie values through injection techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking, as it provides attackers with unauthorized administrative access to the network switch configuration. Once an attacker successfully steals and reuses a valid session cookie, they can perform any administrative function available through the web interface, including changing network configurations, modifying access controls, viewing network traffic, and potentially disrupting network operations. This creates a significant risk for network security and integrity, as the attacker can operate undetected within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because network switches serve as critical infrastructure components that control network access and traffic flow, making unauthorized access to their management interfaces a severe security compromise.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several attack patterns documented in the attack framework, specifically relating to session management flaws and credential theft techniques. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability corresponds to CWE-384, which addresses session fixation and cookie manipulation issues in web applications. The attack vector can be executed through various methods including network packet sniffing, man-in-the-middle attacks, or by leveraging other vulnerabilities that allow cookie interception. The security implications extend to compliance requirements under standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001, where proper session management and authentication controls are mandated for network infrastructure devices. Organizations utilizing affected MOXA switches face potential violations of security policies and regulatory requirements due to the exposure of administrative access through cookie manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from MOXA to address the cookie handling implementation. Network administrators should implement additional security controls such as network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces, employ encrypted connections using HTTPS with proper certificate validation, and implement network monitoring to detect suspicious cookie usage patterns. The deployment of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block attempts to exploit session management weaknesses. Organizations should also establish regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that all network management interfaces implement proper secure session handling mechanisms. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access can provide additional protection layers against cookie-based session hijacking attacks.