CVE-2019-6524 in IKS
Summary
by MITRE
Moxa IKS and EDS do not implement sufficient measures to prevent multiple failed authentication attempts, which may allow an attacker to discover passwords via brute force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6524 affects Moxa IKS and EDS network management systems that fail to implement adequate protection mechanisms against repeated authentication failures. This weakness creates a significant security risk by enabling unauthorized individuals to conduct brute force attacks against user credentials without effective account lockout or rate limiting controls. The affected systems operate within industrial environments where network management and device monitoring are critical functions, making them attractive targets for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to operational technology infrastructure.
This vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in authentication security design that aligns with CWE-307, which addresses inadequate account lockout mechanisms and improper handling of authentication failures. The absence of proper rate limiting and account lockout procedures allows attackers to systematically test numerous password combinations against valid user accounts. The flaw exists at the authentication layer where the system fails to detect and respond to suspicious activity patterns that indicate automated attack attempts. This weakness directly violates security best practices established by frameworks such as NIST SP 800-63B, which mandates robust authentication mechanisms including protection against automated attacks and account lockout procedures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to industrial control systems. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain administrative privileges, potentially disrupting critical operations or accessing sensitive operational data. The vulnerability affects Moxa IKS and EDS systems that are commonly deployed in manufacturing environments, power grids, and other industrial settings where maintaining system integrity and operational continuity is paramount. These systems often manage critical infrastructure components where unauthorized access could result in significant financial loss, operational disruption, or safety hazards.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including enabling account lockout policies, implementing rate limiting mechanisms, and configuring intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication patterns. The recommended approach includes configuring systems to lock accounts after a predetermined number of failed authentication attempts and implementing time-based delays between login attempts. Security professionals should also consider deploying network segmentation to limit access to these management systems and ensure that authentication mechanisms are properly configured according to industry standards. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper authentication security controls in industrial environments where system availability and integrity are essential for operational safety and business continuity.