CVE-2019-19707 in EDS-G508E
Summary
by MITRE
On Moxa EDS-G508E, EDS-G512E, and EDS-G516E devices (with firmware through 6.0), denial of service can occur via PROFINET DCE-RPC endpoint discovery packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19707 affects Moxa EDS-G508E, EDS-G512E, and EDS-G516E industrial Ethernet switches that operate with firmware versions through 6.0. This issue represents a significant security weakness in industrial network infrastructure devices that are commonly deployed in manufacturing and automation environments. The affected devices are part of the Moxa EDS-G series, which are industrial-grade Ethernet switches designed for harsh environments and critical industrial applications. These switches are particularly vulnerable because they handle PROFINET communications, a widely used industrial protocol for automation and control systems. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of PROFINET DCE-RPC endpoint discovery packets, which are essential for establishing communication between industrial devices and controllers in automated environments. PROFINET DCE-RPC is a critical component of the PROFINET communication stack that enables device discovery and configuration within industrial networks.
The technical flaw manifests when these industrial switches receive specially crafted PROFINET DCE-RPC endpoint discovery packets that contain malformed or excessive data structures. The vulnerability occurs at the network protocol parsing layer where the switches fail to properly validate incoming packets before processing them. This lack of proper input validation leads to a buffer overflow or memory corruption condition that causes the device to crash or become unresponsive. The flaw is classified as a denial of service vulnerability because it allows an attacker to remotely disrupt network operations by sending malicious packets to the affected devices. The attack vector requires only network access to the switch's management interface or directly to the switch's network ports, making it particularly dangerous in industrial environments where physical security may be limited. The vulnerability affects the device's ability to maintain network connectivity and process legitimate PROFINET traffic, potentially causing production line disruptions or safety system failures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network disruption to potentially compromise industrial control systems that depend on continuous network connectivity. When these industrial switches become unresponsive, they can cause cascading failures throughout the automation network, affecting multiple connected devices including sensors, actuators, programmable logic controllers, and human machine interfaces. The disruption can lead to production downtime, quality control issues, and in safety-critical environments, potential safety hazards. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because industrial environments often lack the robust network monitoring and intrusion detection capabilities found in enterprise environments, making detection of such attacks more difficult. Network administrators may not immediately recognize the attack as a security incident, instead attributing the disruption to hardware failure or configuration issues. The impact is amplified in environments where these switches are part of critical infrastructure, such as oil and gas refineries, power generation facilities, or manufacturing plants where network reliability is paramount for operational continuity and safety.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-19707 should include immediate firmware updates from Moxa to address the vulnerability, along with network segmentation to limit access to these industrial switches. Network administrators should implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized network access to these devices. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499 for network denial of service attacks. Organizations should also deploy network monitoring solutions capable of detecting anomalous PROFINET traffic patterns and implement network access control lists to restrict communication to only necessary endpoints. The remediation process requires careful planning to avoid disrupting ongoing industrial operations, and should include thorough testing of updated firmware in non-production environments before deployment. Additionally, organizations should conduct security assessments of their industrial control systems to identify other potential vulnerabilities in their network infrastructure and ensure proper security posture across all industrial network devices.