CVE-2019-5153 in AWK-3131A
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable remote code execution vulnerability exists in the iw_webs configuration parsing functionality of the Moxa AWK-3131A firmware version 1.13. A specially crafted user name entry can cause an overflow of an error message buffer, resulting in remote code execution. An attacker can send commands while authenticated as a low privilege user to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2024
The CVE-2019-5153 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Moxa AWK-3131A industrial network device firmware version 1.13. This vulnerability resides in the iw_webs configuration parsing component, which handles user authentication and system configuration management. The affected device operates in industrial environments where network security is paramount, making this flaw particularly dangerous as it could compromise critical infrastructure operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the error message buffer handling mechanism, which falls under the category of buffer overflow conditions that have been consistently identified as high-risk security flaws in industrial control systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted username entry that triggers an overflow in the error message buffer. This buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The flaw is classified as a classic stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient input validation permits an attacker to exceed the allocated buffer boundaries and overwrite critical program data. The vulnerability requires only a low privilege authenticated user account to exploit, significantly reducing the attack surface and making it particularly concerning for industrial environments where user access controls may be less stringent than in enterprise settings. This weakness aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5153 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable attackers to gain persistent access to industrial network devices that serve as critical communication hubs. In industrial control systems, these devices often manage network traffic between various operational technology components, making them prime targets for attackers seeking to establish footholds within industrial networks. The vulnerability could allow attackers to manipulate device configurations, redirect network traffic, or even cause denial of service conditions that could disrupt critical industrial processes. The fact that exploitation requires only low privilege authentication credentials makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where user accounts may have been compromised through social engineering or credential theft attacks. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, where adversaries leverage legitimate credentials to maintain access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Moxa to address the buffer overflow condition in the iw_webs configuration parsing module. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to industrial network devices and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Access controls should be strictly enforced to minimize the number of users with authentication privileges, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in industrial control systems. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns that could indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability, as the attack vector specifically targets the configuration parsing functionality that would generate error messages during authentication attempts.