CVE-2018-14782 in NWL-25
Summary
by MITRE
NetComm Wireless G LTE Light Industrial M2M Router (NWL-25) with firmware 2.0.29.11 and prior. The device allows access to configuration files and profiles without authenticating the user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14782 affects the NetComm Wireless G LTE Light Industrial M2M Router model NWL-25 running firmware versions 2.0.29.11 and earlier. This device operates within industrial internet of things environments where secure communication and authentication mechanisms are critical for maintaining operational integrity and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive network infrastructure. The affected router serves as a communication gateway for machine-to-machine applications in industrial settings, making it a potential target for attackers seeking to compromise industrial control systems and data networks.
The technical flaw resides in the router's authentication mechanism which fails to properly validate user credentials before granting access to configuration files and system profiles. This represents a critical security weakness that allows any remote attacker to access sensitive system information without providing valid authentication credentials. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control enforcement within the device's web interface and API endpoints. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-287 - Improper Authentication, which specifically addresses situations where systems fail to properly authenticate users before granting access to protected resources. The lack of proper authentication controls creates a direct pathway for unauthorized access to configuration data, network settings, and potentially sensitive operational parameters that could be exploited for further attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass significant risks for industrial environments. Attackers could potentially modify network configurations, access communication profiles, and gain insights into industrial processes that could be used for targeted attacks against critical infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe in industrial settings where these routers may be part of larger control systems that manage manufacturing processes, energy distribution, or other critical operations. The vulnerability allows for potential lateral movement within network segments and could enable attackers to establish persistent access points for more sophisticated attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1078 - Valid Accounts and T1046 - Network Service Scanning, as it provides unauthorized access to network services and configuration information without proper authentication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions that address the authentication flaw and implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices. Organizations should deploy network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and establish strict access controls for administrative interfaces. The device should be configured with strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication where possible, and regular security audits should be conducted to ensure that access controls remain effective. Additionally, network administrators should implement intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious access patterns and ensure that default credentials are changed immediately upon device deployment. The vulnerability highlights the importance of securing industrial IoT devices and the need for robust authentication mechanisms in all networked equipment that may be part of critical infrastructure systems.