CVE-2018-11423 in OnCell G3100-HSPA
Summary
by MITRE
There is Memory corruption in the web interface Moxa OnCell G3100-HSPA Series version 1.6 Build 17100315 and prior, different vulnerability than CVE-2018-11420.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11423 represents a memory corruption issue within the web interface of Moxa OnCell G3100-HSPA Series devices running firmware version 1.6 Build 17100315 or earlier. This memory corruption vulnerability specifically affects the device's web management interface, which serves as the primary administrative portal for configuring and managing the cellular gateway functionality. The affected series includes industrial-grade cellular routers designed for remote monitoring and management applications in various sectors including manufacturing, utilities, and telecommunications infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the web interface components that process user-supplied data through HTTP requests and form submissions.
The technical flaw manifests when the web interface fails to properly validate or sanitize user inputs before processing them in memory operations. This inadequate input validation creates opportunities for attackers to craft malicious payloads that can manipulate memory structures within the device's web server process. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing of HTTP parameters or form data submitted through the web interface, potentially leading to buffer overflows, heap corruption, or other memory manipulation conditions. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in memory corruption. The vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2018-11420, indicating that while both issues affect the same product line, they represent different code paths and memory handling mechanisms within the device's web interface implementation.
The operational impact of this memory corruption vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially enable remote code execution or system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to the device's administrative functions, potentially allowing them to modify network configurations, access sensitive operational data, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The affected industrial environment makes this particularly concerning as these devices often serve as critical communication endpoints for operational technology systems, where compromise could lead to significant operational disruptions or security breaches. The vulnerability affects devices deployed in remote locations where physical access may be limited, making remote exploitation particularly attractive to threat actors. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210, which covers exploitation of remote services, and T1059, which covers command and script injection through web interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11423 should prioritize firmware updates from Moxa to address the memory corruption issue in the web interface components. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices, restricting web interface access to authorized administrative networks only. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter HTTP traffic to the device's web interface, deploying network access controls to limit which IP addresses can reach the device, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect anomalous web interface activity. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary web interface features and implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access where possible. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in embedded web interfaces, particularly in industrial control systems where security and availability are paramount. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their industrial network infrastructure to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in other networked devices and systems.