CVE-2020-27185 in NPort IA5000A
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2021
Cleartext transmission of sensitive information via Moxa Service in NPort IA5000A series serial devices. Successfully exploiting the vulnerability could enable attackers to read authentication data, device configuration, and other sensitive data transmitted over Moxa Service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-27185 affects Moxa NPort IA5000A series serial devices where sensitive information is transmitted in cleartext over the Moxa Service protocol. This represents a significant security weakness in industrial networking equipment that serves as a bridge between serial devices and network infrastructure. The affected devices operate within industrial environments where secure communication is paramount for maintaining operational integrity and protecting against unauthorized access to critical systems. The Moxa Service protocol, designed for device management and configuration, fails to implement proper encryption mechanisms, leaving all transmitted data vulnerable to interception and exploitation.
This vulnerability stems from the absence of encryption within the Moxa Service communication channel, which operates using unencrypted protocols for authentication credentials, configuration parameters, and operational data exchange. The technical flaw aligns with CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext transmission over network connections. Attackers can leverage this weakness by positioning themselves within the network to capture network traffic, thereby obtaining authentication tokens, passwords, and device configuration details without requiring advanced exploitation techniques. The cleartext nature of the transmission means that any network monitoring or packet capture tools can readily extract the sensitive information, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where network traffic is not properly secured.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as attackers can gain comprehensive access to device management interfaces and potentially manipulate device configurations. This could lead to unauthorized control of serial device connections, disruption of industrial processes, or creation of backdoor access points within industrial networks. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as it allows attackers to obtain sensitive information that should remain protected during transmission. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol usage for data exfiltration, and T1566, which involves social engineering tactics to gain initial access to target networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate and long-term security measures to protect industrial environments. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, while also deploying network monitoring solutions to detect and alert on suspicious traffic patterns. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to firmware versions that implement encryption for Moxa Service communications, though this requires careful planning to avoid operational disruptions in industrial settings. Additional protective measures include implementing network access control lists, deploying intrusion detection systems, and establishing secure remote access protocols such as VPNs or SSH for device management. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive network assessments to identify all instances of affected Moxa devices and develop incident response procedures specifically addressing potential credential theft and configuration manipulation scenarios.