CVE-2019-6563 in IKS
Summary
by MITRE
Moxa IKS and EDS generate a predictable cookie calculated with an MD5 hash, allowing an attacker to capture the administrator's password, which could lead to a full compromise of the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6563 affects Moxa IKS and EDS network infrastructure devices, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of industrial networking equipment. These devices are commonly deployed in industrial environments where secure remote access is paramount for system management and monitoring operations. The vulnerability stems from the predictable cookie generation mechanism that utilizes MD5 hashing algorithms, creating a significant weakness in the authentication process that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring prior authentication credentials.
The technical flaw manifests through the implementation of a weak cryptographic hash function in the session management system of these industrial devices. Specifically, the MD5 algorithm used for cookie generation produces predictable outputs that can be reverse-engineered or brute-forced by attackers with minimal computational resources. This weakness directly violates industry security standards such as those outlined in CWE-327, which specifically addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and improper cryptographic key generation. The predictable nature of these cookies allows an attacker to craft valid session tokens that can impersonate legitimate administrative users, effectively bypassing the authentication mechanism entirely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete device compromise and potential network infiltration. An attacker who captures an administrator's password through this predictable cookie mechanism gains full administrative privileges over the affected device, enabling them to modify network configurations, access sensitive data, install malicious software, or establish persistent backdoors within the industrial network infrastructure. This represents a serious threat to operational technology environments where these devices are deployed, as the compromise of a single administrative session can potentially affect the entire industrial control system. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through various means including session hijacking and token manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-6563 should focus on immediate remediation through firmware updates provided by Moxa to address the predictable cookie generation issue. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these critical devices and deploy additional authentication layers such as two-factor authentication where possible. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual session activity patterns and implementation of intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of using strong cryptographic algorithms and proper session management practices in industrial network devices, as specified in NIST SP 800-53 and other security frameworks that emphasize the need for robust authentication mechanisms. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in industrial control systems, as this vulnerability demonstrates how legacy cryptographic implementations can create persistent security risks in critical infrastructure environments.