CVE-2018-10690 in Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Moxa AWK-3121 1.14 devices. The device by default allows HTTP traffic thus providing an insecure communication mechanism for a user connecting to the web server. This allows an attacker to sniff the traffic easily and allows an attacker to compromise sensitive data such as credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10690 affects Moxa AWK-3121 devices running firmware version 1.14, representing a significant security weakness in industrial networking equipment. This device serves as a web server that defaults to accepting HTTP connections without implementing secure communication protocols, creating an inherent risk that exposes sensitive operational data to unauthorized access. The issue stems from the device's configuration that fails to enforce encrypted communication channels, leaving all transmitted data vulnerable to interception and manipulation by malicious actors within the network. The vulnerability specifically impacts the device's web interface functionality, which is commonly used for configuration management and monitoring purposes in industrial automation environments.
This security flaw represents a critical implementation failure that aligns with CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper communication channels. The device's default configuration allows unencrypted HTTP traffic to flow through the network, providing attackers with an easily exploitable vector for man-in-the-middle attacks. The lack of secure communication protocols means that any credentials, configuration parameters, or operational data transmitted through the web interface can be captured by network sniffing tools or other passive monitoring mechanisms. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles that require encrypted communication channels for any data transmission, particularly in industrial control systems where the integrity of operational data is paramount to system security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it compromises the overall security posture of industrial networks that rely on Moxa AWK-3121 devices for connectivity and management. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to device configurations, potentially leading to system disruption, data manipulation, or lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where industrial devices communicate over untrusted networks or where network segmentation is insufficient to protect critical infrastructure components. According to ATT&CK framework category T1071.004, this weakness enables network protocol abuse and can be exploited to establish persistent access to industrial control systems, making it a significant concern for organizations implementing cybersecurity measures under NIST SP 800-82 guidelines for industrial control systems.
Organizations should immediately implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network segments and deploy network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized HTTP traffic. The recommended mitigation strategy involves configuring the device to enforce HTTPS communication and disabling HTTP access entirely through firmware updates or configuration changes. Additionally, network administrators should implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the device management interfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other industrial devices within the network infrastructure, as this vulnerability represents a common misconfiguration pattern that affects multiple industrial equipment vendors and underscores the importance of secure-by-design principles in industrial networking equipment.