CVE-2018-11424 in OnCell G3470A-LTE
Summary
by MITRE
There is Memory corruption in the web interface of Moxa OnCell G3470A-LTE Series version 1.6 Build 18021314 and prior, a different vulnerability than CVE-2018-11425.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11424 represents a memory corruption issue within the web interface of Moxa OnCell G3470A-LTE Series devices running firmware version 1.6 Build 18021314 or earlier. This particular flaw resides in the device's web management interface, which serves as the primary means for administrators to configure and monitor the cellular gateway functionality. The affected series includes multiple models within the G3470A-LTE family, making this vulnerability potentially widespread across deployed industrial networking equipment. The memory corruption aspect indicates that the vulnerability could allow attackers to manipulate memory structures through crafted input or requests to the web interface, potentially leading to system instability or unauthorized access. This issue is distinct from CVE-2018-11425, suggesting separate code paths or implementation flaws within the same product line, which complicates remediation efforts and increases the attack surface for potential exploitation. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web interface component, which typically handles user authentication, configuration management, and system monitoring functions, making it a critical attack vector for unauthorized access to industrial network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this memory corruption vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the web interface components of the Moxa OnCell G3470A-LTE devices. The flaw likely occurs when the web server processes HTTP requests containing malformed or unexpected data inputs through the web management interface. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, or CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow conditions, depending on the specific memory manipulation pattern. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted HTTP requests or form data to the web interface, which could cause memory corruption that might lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it affects the web interface, which is typically accessible from both local and remote networks, potentially allowing attackers to exploit the device without physical access or prior authentication. The memory corruption could manifest as stack corruption, heap corruption, or other memory management issues that could be leveraged to gain elevated privileges or disrupt normal device operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11424 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios and could potentially enable complete system compromise of affected Moxa devices. Industrial networks that rely on these cellular gateways for connectivity may face significant operational disruptions if attackers exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to network monitoring and control functions. The affected devices typically serve as critical communication links between industrial control systems and remote monitoring centers, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to disrupt industrial operations or gain access to sensitive operational data. The vulnerability's presence in firmware versions prior to 1.6 Build 18021314 indicates that a substantial number of deployed devices may be vulnerable, creating a widespread risk across industrial environments that use Moxa cellular gateways. Organizations implementing these devices in critical infrastructure applications face potential security risks that could compromise the integrity of their network communications and operational technology systems. The remote exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers could potentially target these devices from outside the organization's network perimeter, increasing the attack surface and reducing the effectiveness of traditional network segmentation controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11424 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Moxa to address the memory corruption vulnerability in affected devices. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical systems and limit access to the web interface to authorized personnel only. The implementation of network access controls and firewall rules can help restrict access to the web interface ports, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual web interface activity or attempted access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues within the broader industrial network infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting industrial control system devices. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation, and T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol traffic. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in embedded systems, particularly those deployed in industrial environments where security and availability are paramount. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be established and maintained to ensure that all industrial network devices remain protected against known vulnerabilities.