CVE-2020-6997 in EDS-G516E
Summary
by MITRE
In Moxa EDS-G516E Series firmware, Version 5.2 or lower, sensitive information is transmitted over some web applications in cleartext.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-6997 affects the Moxa EDS-G516E Series firmware versions 5.2 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in industrial network infrastructure devices. This issue manifests through the transmission of sensitive information over web applications using unencrypted protocols, creating a significant exposure risk for organizations relying on these network management systems. The affected devices operate within industrial environments where network security is paramount, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for operational technology infrastructure.
The technical flaw stems from the firmware's implementation of web-based management interfaces that fail to employ secure communication protocols for data transmission. When administrators access device configuration through web browsers or management applications, sensitive information including authentication credentials, system configurations, and operational data are transmitted in cleartext across the network. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-312, which categorizes cleartext storage and transmission of sensitive information as a critical weakness. The absence of encryption mechanisms such as TLS/SSL for web communications means that any network traffic intercepting these connections can readily access the transmitted data without requiring additional cryptographic attacks or exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates multiple attack vectors for malicious actors within network environments. Network administrators who access these devices remotely or through local networks become potential targets for man-in-the-middle attacks, credential harvesting, and system reconnaissance. The cleartext transmission of sensitive data provides attackers with immediate access to administrative credentials, allowing them to gain unauthorized control over the network devices. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control communications, as the unencrypted web interfaces can be exploited for lateral movement and persistence within network environments. Organizations may experience service disruption, unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure, and potential compromise of broader network security postures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure of affected devices. Organizations should prioritize firmware updates to versions that implement encrypted communication protocols for web management interfaces, as provided by Moxa through their security advisory releases. Network administrators should implement additional security controls such as VPN access for remote management, network monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns, and regular security assessments of industrial network components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of applying principle of least privilege and network segmentation as outlined in NIST SP 800-84 guidelines for industrial control systems security. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network intrusion detection systems capable of identifying cleartext credential transmission attempts and establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar unencrypted communication channels within their industrial network infrastructure.