CVE-2018-14784 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 is vulnerable to several cross-site scripting attacks, allowing a remote attacker to run arbitrary code on the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2020
The CVE-2018-14784 vulnerability affects the NetComm Wireless G LTE Light Industrial M2M Router model NWL-25 running firmware version 2.0.29.11 or earlier. This industrial-grade router is designed for machine-to-machine communications in industrial environments, making it a critical component in connected manufacturing and IoT deployments. The device's web-based management interface exposes multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that stem from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms. These flaws create a pathway for remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into the router's web interface, potentially enabling full compromise of the device through persistent code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard XSS attack patterns where malicious payloads are delivered through web interface parameters or form fields. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected device by manipulating input fields that are not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as Cross-Site Scripting, which represents one of the most common web application security flaws. The attack surface is particularly concerning for industrial environments where these routers often serve as network gateways and may control critical infrastructure communications. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution since the router's administrative interface typically provides access to network configuration, firewall settings, and potentially sensitive operational data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for industrial deployments where network reliability and security are paramount. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain full administrative control over the router, potentially leading to network disruption, data interception, or lateral movement within industrial networks. The affected device operates in light industrial environments where it may be exposed to untrusted network traffic, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access points within critical infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in the device's firmware suggests a lack of proper security testing during development, which represents a significant gap in the vendor's security assurance processes. This flaw could enable attackers to modify network routing, disable security features, or redirect traffic through malicious intermediaries, potentially causing operational disruptions or data breaches in industrial settings.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14784 should include immediate firmware updates from the vendor to address the XSS vulnerabilities in the web interface. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the router's administrative interface to only trusted administrative workstations. Regular security assessments of industrial network devices should include verification of firmware versions and patch management procedures. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in industrial control systems where security is often overlooked. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting how XSS flaws can be leveraged for remote code execution. Given the industrial nature of the affected devices, organizations should also evaluate their overall security posture and consider implementing zero-trust network architectures to minimize the impact of potential compromises.