CVE-2017-14459 in AWK-3131A
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable OS Command Injection vulnerability exists in the Telnet, SSH, and console login functionality of Moxa AWK-3131A Industrial IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n wireless AP/bridge/client in firmware versions 1.4 to 1.7 (current). An attacker can inject commands via the username parameter of several services (SSH, Telnet, console), resulting in remote, unauthenticated, root-level operating system command execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2024
The CVE-2017-14459 vulnerability represents a critical operating system command injection flaw within the Moxa AWK-3131A industrial wireless access point device. This vulnerability specifically affects firmware versions 1.4 through 1.7, making it a persistent threat across a range of device iterations. The flaw manifests in the authentication mechanisms of multiple network services including Telnet, SSH, and console login functionality, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors targeting industrial control systems. The vulnerability's classification as an exploitable command injection issue places it squarely within the scope of CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities in software systems. This particular flaw demonstrates how industrial networking equipment can harbor severe security weaknesses that directly compromise operational technology environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation within the username parameter handling across multiple authentication services. When an attacker submits malicious input through the username field, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as command delimiters or shell operators. This insufficient input validation creates a direct pathway for command injection attacks where arbitrary operating system commands can be executed with root privileges. The vulnerability's design allows for unauthenticated remote exploitation, meaning attackers do not require valid credentials to leverage the flaw, which significantly increases the attack surface and potential impact. The root-level execution capability represents a severe compromise of system integrity, as attackers can gain complete control over the device's operating system and potentially access network resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14459 extends beyond simple device compromise into broader industrial control system security implications. In industrial environments where Moxa AWK-3131A devices may serve as critical network infrastructure components, this vulnerability can lead to complete network disruption, unauthorized data access, or even physical system manipulation. The attack vector's ability to target multiple services simultaneously increases the likelihood of successful exploitation, as attackers can attempt different authentication methods until they find a working approach. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries leverage system command execution capabilities to maintain persistent access and escalate privileges. The impact is particularly concerning in industrial settings where these devices may be deployed in critical infrastructure environments, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt operations or gain access to sensitive control systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14459 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Moxa to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical systems and establish monitoring for unusual authentication patterns or command execution attempts. The vulnerability's nature suggests that network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for command injection patterns in authentication traffic. Additionally, implementing strong access controls and disabling unnecessary services such as Telnet when SSH is available can reduce the attack surface. Security teams should also consider deploying network access control lists to restrict access to affected devices and establish baseline network behavior for anomaly detection. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no authentication, making defensive measures such as network monitoring and access control particularly critical for preventing unauthorized access to industrial networks. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected industrial devices within their network infrastructure and implement proper network hygiene practices to limit the impact of similar future vulnerabilities.