CVE-2018-10702 in AWK-3121
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Moxa AWK-3121 1.14 devices. It provides functionality so that an administrator can run scripts on the device to troubleshoot any issues. However, the same functionality allows an attacker to execute commands on the device. The POST parameter "iw_filename" is susceptible to command injection via shell metacharacters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10702 affects Moxa AWK-3121 network appliances running firmware version 1.14 and potentially earlier versions. This device serves as a wireless access point and router solution commonly deployed in industrial and enterprise environments where network connectivity and device management are critical. The affected device includes a troubleshooting feature that allows administrators to execute scripts directly on the appliance to diagnose and resolve network issues. This legitimate functionality becomes a security risk when improperly implemented, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorized access and execute arbitrary commands on the device.
The technical flaw resides in the improper validation and sanitization of user input within the device's web interface. Specifically, the POST parameter named "iw_filename" does not adequately filter or escape shell metacharacters that could be interpreted by the underlying operating system. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the device processes the input without proper sanitization, allowing shell injection attacks to occur. This vulnerability is categorized as a command injection flaw that directly maps to CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in a command. The vulnerability exists because the device fails to properly validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into system commands, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be executed as shell commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations deploying Moxa AWK-3121 devices in their network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain full administrative control over the device, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The attacker can execute arbitrary commands, modify device configurations, intercept network traffic, and use the device as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects industrial environments where these devices might be used for critical infrastructure monitoring and control, potentially leading to operational disruptions or security breaches that could compromise physical security systems. The attack requires only web browser access to the device's management interface and does not require authentication for the initial exploitation, making it particularly dangerous.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Moxa to address the command injection flaw, as well as network segmentation to limit access to these devices. Organizations should implement network access controls to restrict administrative access to these devices, requiring strong authentication mechanisms and limiting access to trusted network segments. The principle of least privilege should be applied to device management, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to administrative functions. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests before they reach the device, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network equipment. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper security coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically addressing techniques related to command injection and privilege escalation.