CVE-2019-6565 in IKS
Summary
by MITRE
Moxa IKS and EDS fails to properly validate user input, giving unauthenticated and authenticated attackers the ability to perform XSS attacks, which may be used to send a malicious script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6565 affects Moxa IKS and EDS products, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that compromises web application security. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the affected systems, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web interfaces. The flaw exists in the authentication and authorization layers of these industrial security devices, which are designed to protect critical infrastructure environments. The vulnerability impacts both unauthenticated and authenticated attack scenarios, significantly broadening the potential threat surface. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in input validation that permits malicious code execution through web interfaces, aligning with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The attack vector leverages the web-based management interfaces of these devices, where user-provided data is not adequately sanitized before being rendered back to users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as attackers can leverage the XSS flaw to perform session hijacking, deface web interfaces, or redirect users to malicious sites. In industrial environments where Moxa IKS and EDS devices are deployed for security monitoring and control, this vulnerability creates a significant risk of unauthorized access to critical systems. The affected devices typically serve as security appliances that monitor network traffic and enforce security policies, making them attractive targets for adversaries seeking to establish persistent access or disrupt operations. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit the XSS vulnerability to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to complete compromise of the management interface. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1566 which involves social engineering through malicious web content, and T1071 which covers application layer protocols including web protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-6565 should include immediate firmware updates from Moxa to address the input validation flaws, combined with network segmentation to limit access to these management interfaces. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable applications, and establish strict input validation policies for all user-supplied data. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input sanitization in industrial security appliances, as these devices often operate in environments where security is paramount but may lack the rigorous testing found in commercial applications. Security teams should also implement regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing specifically targeting web interfaces of industrial control systems. The remediation process requires careful planning due to the critical nature of these devices in industrial environments, with potential impacts on operational continuity that must be balanced against security requirements.