CVE-2017-13703 in EDS-G512E
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on MOXA EDS-G512E 5.1 build 16072215 devices. A denial of service may occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13703 affects MOXA EDS-G512E network switches running firmware version 5.1 build 16072215. This device operates within industrial networking environments where reliable network infrastructure is critical for operational continuity. The affected switch model is part of MOXA's industrial grade network equipment designed for harsh environments and continuous operation in manufacturing and industrial control systems. The vulnerability manifests as a denial of service condition that can disrupt network communications and potentially impact industrial processes that depend on stable network connectivity.
This vulnerability represents a failure in the device's input validation and error handling mechanisms within its network processing stack. The flaw likely occurs when the switch receives malformed network packets or specific sequences of network traffic that cause the device to enter an unstable state. The technical nature of the issue suggests improper handling of network protocol data units or frame processing that leads to system instability. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize incoming data before processing. The device's inability to gracefully handle unexpected input conditions results in a complete service disruption.
The operational impact of this denial of service vulnerability extends beyond simple network interruption to potentially compromise industrial control systems and manufacturing processes. When the MOXA EDS-G512E switch becomes unresponsive, it can cause network partitions that affect communication between critical industrial devices, sensors, and control systems. The disruption can lead to production halts, data loss, and potential safety issues in environments where network reliability is paramount. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and may also map to T1566.001 for initial access through network-based attacks that could exploit this weakness.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from MOXA to address the specific denial of service condition. Network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The device should be configured with appropriate access controls and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed traffic patterns associated with this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should maintain updated network topology documentation and develop incident response procedures specifically addressing industrial network denial of service scenarios. The vulnerability highlights the importance of securing industrial control systems and the need for robust network infrastructure that can maintain operational continuity even under attack conditions.