CVE-2017-16727 in NPort W2150A
Summary
by MITRE
A Credentials Management issue was discovered in Moxa NPort W2150A versions prior to 1.11, and NPort W2250A versions prior to 1.11. The default password is empty on the device. An unauthorized user can access the device without a password. An unauthorized user has the ability to completely compromise the confidentiality and integrity of the wireless traffic.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16727 represents a critical credentials management flaw in Moxa NPort W2150A and W2250A industrial networking devices. This issue stems from a fundamental misconfiguration where the default password field is left empty, creating an authentication bypass condition that allows any unauthorized user to gain administrative access to the device. The vulnerability specifically affects firmware versions prior to 1.11, indicating that Moxa had not yet addressed this security weakness in their older product iterations. This credential management failure directly violates security best practices and creates a significant exposure point within industrial network infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-259: Use of Hard-coded Password and CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information categories. The empty default password creates a persistent authentication bypass that operates at the device level, eliminating any form of access control. An attacker can simply connect to the device and gain administrative privileges without presenting any credentials, effectively providing complete control over the network device. This flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at the network level where industrial devices typically handle sensitive operational data and maintain critical communication channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete compromise of network security and data integrity. An attacker with access to the device can manipulate network configurations, intercept and modify wireless traffic, and potentially disrupt industrial operations. The ability to compromise both confidentiality and integrity of wireless traffic means that sensitive operational data could be exfiltrated or manipulated, potentially leading to operational disruptions, safety hazards, or financial losses. This vulnerability essentially transforms the industrial network device into a potential attack vector that could be used to infiltrate broader network infrastructure and target other connected systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to versions 1.11 or later where Moxa has addressed the empty password issue. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as network segmentation, access control lists, and monitoring of device access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper credential management and the necessity of implementing robust authentication mechanisms in industrial environments. Organizations should also consider conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their industrial control systems to identify similar credential management issues that could provide unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components. This case highlights the critical need for manufacturers to follow security by design principles and for organizations to maintain current firmware updates for industrial networking equipment.