CVE-2018-10697 in AWK-3121
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Moxa AWK-3121 1.14 devices. The Moxa AWK 3121 provides ping functionality so that an administrator can execute ICMP calls to check if the network is working correctly. However, the same functionality allows an attacker to execute commands on the device. The POST parameter "srvName" is susceptible to this injection. By crafting a packet that contains shell metacharacters, it is possible for an attacker to execute the attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2023
The Moxa AWK-3121 1.14 device presents a critical command injection vulnerability through its ping functionality that directly compromises the device's security posture. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the web interface's ping implementation where the srvName parameter accepts arbitrary user input without proper sanitization. The device's network management interface allows administrators to perform ICMP echo requests to verify network connectivity, but this legitimate feature has been exploited to execute arbitrary system commands through malicious input manipulation. The vulnerability exists because the device's web server processes user-supplied parameters directly within shell contexts, creating an environment where attackers can inject shell metacharacters such as semicolons, pipes, or backticks to escalate privileges and execute unauthorized commands. This represents a classic command injection flaw that enables remote code execution and provides attackers with full control over the device's operational functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns found in CWE-77 and CWE-94, which categorize command injection and code injection flaws respectively. The attack vector leverages the device's web interface to deliver malicious payloads through HTTP POST requests containing specially crafted srvName parameters. When the device processes these parameters, it constructs shell commands that include user input without proper escaping or validation, allowing attackers to chain commands and execute arbitrary system operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The impact extends beyond simple command execution to include potential data exfiltration, network reconnaissance, and establishment of persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The device's lack of proper input filtering and output encoding creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain administrative control over the network device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability poses significant risks to industrial network environments where Moxa devices are commonly deployed for industrial automation and control systems. Network administrators who rely on these devices for connectivity monitoring become vulnerable to attacks that can disrupt operations, compromise sensitive data, or provide attackers with a foothold for lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects devices that are typically deployed in critical infrastructure environments where reliability and security are paramount, making the potential consequences of exploitation particularly severe. Organizations using Moxa AWK-3121 devices in manufacturing, utilities, or other industrial settings face the risk of operational disruptions, regulatory compliance violations, and potential safety hazards if attackers exploit this vulnerability to manipulate network configurations or disable critical connectivity functions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through firmware updates provided by Moxa to address the input validation flaws in the web interface. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the device to untrusted networks, while disabling unnecessary services and features reduces the attack surface. Regular security audits of industrial network devices should include validation of input handling mechanisms and proper sanitization of user-supplied data. Organizations should implement network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around the ping functionality. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and underscores the need for regular security assessments of industrial control equipment. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms at network boundaries can provide additional layers of protection against similar injection attacks targeting industrial network infrastructure.