CVE-2018-11425 in OnCell G3470A-LTE
Summary
by MITRE
Memory corruption issue was discovered in Moxa OnCell G3470A-LTE Series version 1.6 Build 18021314 and prior, a different vulnerability than CVE-2018-11424.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2023
The memory corruption vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11425 affects the Moxa OnCell G3470A-LTE Series devices running firmware version 1.6 Build 18021314 and earlier. This device operates as a cellular gateway solution designed for industrial IoT applications, providing secure connectivity for remote monitoring and control systems. The vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that could potentially allow attackers to compromise the device's memory management and execute arbitrary code. The issue specifically impacts the device's handling of certain network protocols and data processing functions, creating opportunities for memory corruption attacks that could lead to system instability or complete device takeover.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation processes within the device's network processing stack. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and potential code execution. The device's firmware fails to properly validate input data structures before processing them, allowing malicious actors to craft specially crafted network packets or configuration data that can trigger buffer overflows or other memory corruption scenarios. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the device's core networking functionality, which is essential for maintaining secure communications in industrial environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise, as it could enable attackers to gain persistent access to industrial networks that rely on these cellular gateways for connectivity. Attackers could potentially leverage this memory corruption to execute remote code, escalate privileges, or disrupt critical industrial operations. The vulnerability's presence in devices deployed in industrial control systems creates significant risk for operational technology environments where network reliability and security are paramount. Organizations using these devices may face potential data breaches, service disruptions, or even physical safety risks if the compromised devices control critical infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11425 should focus on immediate firmware updates from Moxa to address the memory corruption issues in the affected OnCell G3470A-LTE Series devices. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, while continuous monitoring for anomalous network traffic patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify suspicious network behavior that might indicate exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework's T1059 technique for command and control communications could be relevant for monitoring potential post-exploitation activities, while defensive measures should include regular security assessments of industrial network components to identify similar vulnerabilities in other networked devices. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically tailored for industrial control system environments to ensure rapid response to potential exploitation of such memory corruption vulnerabilities.