CVE-2020-24053 in EXVF5C-2
Summary
by MITRE
Moog EXO Series EXVF5C-2 and EXVP7C2-3 units have a hardcoded credentials vulnerability. This could cause a confidentiality issue when using the FTP, Telnet, or SSH protocols.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2020
The Moog EXO Series EXVF5C-2 and EXVP7C2-3 units present a critical hardcoded credentials vulnerability that compromises system security through persistent authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability affects industrial control systems used in various applications including aerospace, defense, and industrial automation environments where these devices serve as critical components in control and monitoring systems. The flaw manifests through embedded default credentials that remain unchanged throughout the device lifecycle, creating persistent access points for unauthorized users who can exploit these hardcoded values to gain system access. The vulnerability specifically impacts protocols including File Transfer Protocol, Telnet, and Secure Shell which are commonly used for remote administration and data transfer operations within these industrial environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper security design practices where developers embedded default usernames and passwords directly into the firmware during the development phase. These hardcoded credentials are typically stored in configuration files, source code, or memory locations that cannot be easily modified or removed without complete system reinstallation. The vulnerability enables unauthorized access through multiple network protocols, with FTP providing file system access, Telnet offering unencrypted command execution capabilities, and SSH presenting encrypted but still exploitable access points when default credentials remain active. This design flaw aligns with CWE-798, which categorizes the use of hardcoded credentials as a significant security weakness that directly violates fundamental security principles of authentication and access control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential system compromise, data exfiltration, and operational disruption within industrial control environments. Attackers who discover these hardcoded credentials can establish persistent access to critical infrastructure systems, potentially leading to unauthorized modifications of control parameters, data manipulation, or complete system takeover. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in defense and aerospace applications where these devices may control sensitive systems, as it creates opportunities for adversarial actors to gain access to classified information or disrupt critical operations. The presence of multiple vulnerable protocols increases the attack surface and allows for various exploitation vectors depending on the target system's configuration and network accessibility.
Organizations utilizing these Moog EXO Series devices should implement immediate mitigation strategies including disabling unnecessary protocols, changing default credentials where possible, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to these critical systems. Security monitoring should include detection of unauthorized access attempts through the vulnerable protocols, with particular attention to unusual FTP, Telnet, or SSH connections. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting thorough security reviews during the development lifecycle, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1078 which addresses valid accounts and credential access. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar hardcoded credential issues in other industrial control system components. Device manufacturers should also provide firmware updates that address this vulnerability through proper credential management and authentication mechanisms that prevent the use of hardcoded values in production systems.