CVE-2018-10699 in AWK-3121
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Moxa AWK-3121 1.14 devices. The Moxa AWK 3121 provides certfile upload functionality so that an administrator can upload a certificate file used for connecting to the wireless network. However, the same functionality allows an attacker to execute commands on the device. The POST parameter "iw_privatePass" 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 vulnerability identified in CVE-2018-10699 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Moxa AWK-3121 wireless access point firmware version 1.14. This device, designed for industrial wireless networking applications, exposes a dangerous pathway for remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access through its certificate file upload functionality. The security issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web interface, specifically targeting the iw_privatePass POST parameter that handles wireless network password data. This parameter serves as the primary attack vector, allowing malicious actors to inject shell commands directly into the device's processing pipeline.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern of command injection attacks where the attacker crafts a specially formatted request containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks that get interpreted by the underlying operating system. When the device processes the certificate upload request, it fails to properly sanitize the iw_privatePass parameter, leading to arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the web server process. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-77 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution contexts. The attack can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for industrial control systems where physical security may be limited.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables full system compromise of the affected Moxa devices. An attacker could potentially gain persistent access to the wireless network infrastructure, modify network configurations, intercept communications, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network perimeter. This represents a significant risk for industrial environments where these devices often serve as critical communication endpoints for process control systems, SCADA networks, or IoT deployments. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these devices from outside the network perimeter, potentially compromising industrial control systems that should be isolated from external threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10699 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Moxa to address the command injection vulnerability, as this represents the most effective solution to prevent exploitation. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the device's web interface to trusted administrative networks only, while also employing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious POST requests containing shell metacharacters. Additionally, administrators should disable unnecessary services and features, implement strong access controls with multi-factor authentication, and conduct regular security assessments of industrial network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, demonstrating how attackers can leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary commands on target systems. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on command injection attempts, particularly those involving common shell metacharacters in web application parameters.