CVE-2018-18394 in ThingsPro IIoT Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
Sensitive Information Stored in Clear Text in Moxa ThingsPro IIoT Gateway and Device Management Software Solutions version 2.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18394 represents a critical security flaw in Moxa ThingsPro IIoT Gateway and Device Management Software Solutions version 2.1 where sensitive information is stored in clear text format. This configuration exposes credentials, configuration parameters, and other confidential data to unauthorized access through direct file system inspection or exploitation techniques. The issue stems from improper data handling practices within the software architecture, where security-sensitive elements are not adequately protected through encryption or other confidentiality measures during storage operations.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-312 category of "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information" which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software design and implementation. The flaw demonstrates poor security hygiene where developers failed to implement proper data protection mechanisms for information that should remain confidential throughout its lifecycle. The clear text storage approach creates a direct attack surface that allows threat actors to extract sensitive data simply by accessing the relevant storage locations within the system. This weakness is particularly concerning in industrial IoT environments where the compromised credentials could provide unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to industrial control systems. Attackers who gain access to the affected software installations can extract stored credentials and configuration data to perform lateral movement within network environments, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access points. The vulnerability affects the broader industrial IoT ecosystem by potentially enabling supply chain attacks where compromised devices serve as entry points for targeting connected industrial networks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1552.001 "Unsecured Credentials" and T1078 "Valid Accounts" as it provides attackers with legitimate access credentials that can be used to bypass authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18394 require immediate implementation of encryption mechanisms for all sensitive data storage operations within the affected software solutions. Organizations should implement proper key management practices and ensure that all credentials, passwords, and configuration data are encrypted using strong cryptographic algorithms before storage. The software vendors must update their implementations to enforce encrypted storage of sensitive information and provide secure configuration options. System administrators should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable software and implement immediate remediation measures including patching, reconfiguration, or replacement of affected systems. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive storage locations that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future software releases.