CVE-2017-14030 in MXView
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Moxa MXview v2.8 and prior. The unquoted service path escalation vulnerability could allow an authorized user with file access to escalate privileges by inserting arbitrary code into the unquoted service path.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14030 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Moxa MXview version 2.8 and earlier deployments. This issue stems from improper service path configuration that creates opportunities for malicious code injection. The vulnerability specifically affects the MXview management software used for industrial network monitoring and control systems, making it particularly concerning for operational technology environments where system integrity is paramount.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the unquoted service path configuration that allows for path manipulation attacks. When Windows services are installed without proper quotation around paths containing spaces, the operating system follows a predictable resolution order that can be exploited by attackers. In this case, an authorized user with file access can place malicious executables in directories along the service path, which will then be executed with elevated privileges. This behavior aligns with CWE-428, which addresses the improper resolution of a path that contains a space, and represents a classic example of a service path traversal vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with elevated system access that can compromise entire industrial control systems. In industrial environments where Moxa MXview is deployed for network monitoring and device management, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components. The fact that this requires only authorized user access with file permissions makes it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate user credentials and access rights to escalate privileges. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers the use of elevated privileges for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14030 should focus on immediate service path correction and access control improvements. Organizations must ensure all service paths are properly quoted to prevent path resolution manipulation, which can be achieved by modifying the service installation parameters to include proper quotation marks around paths containing spaces. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege is crucial, as the vulnerability requires authorized user access to be exploited. System administrators should conduct thorough service path audits and implement regular security assessments to identify similar unquoted path configurations across all installed services. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure configuration management practices and regular software updates to prevent exploitation of known issues in industrial control system environments.