CVE-2020-7001 in EDS-G516E
Summary
by MITRE
In Moxa EDS-G516E Series firmware, Version 5.2 or lower, the affected products use a weak cryptographic algorithm, which may allow confidential information to be disclosed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2024
The Moxa EDS-G516E Series network switch devices represent industrial networking equipment deployed in critical infrastructure environments where security is paramount. These devices operate as managed switches providing network connectivity for industrial automation systems and are particularly vulnerable due to their extended deployment in operational technology environments where patching cycles may be infrequent. The affected firmware version 5.2 and earlier contain a significant cryptographic weakness that compromises the confidentiality of transmitted data. This vulnerability specifically affects the device's implementation of cryptographic algorithms used for securing network communications and authentication processes.
The technical flaw manifests through the use of weak cryptographic algorithms that fail to provide adequate security guarantees against modern cryptanalytic attacks. Weak cryptographic implementations typically involve outdated or insufficiently strong encryption methods such as weak hash functions, insecure key derivation mechanisms, or obsolete encryption standards that can be readily broken through computational attacks. The vulnerability allows attackers to potentially decrypt confidential information transmitted through the device, compromising the integrity and confidentiality of network communications. This weakness directly relates to common cryptographic implementation failures that fall under the CWE-327 weakness category, specifically addressing the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more severe attack vectors including man-in-the-middle attacks, session hijacking, and unauthorized access to industrial control systems. In industrial environments where these switches connect to critical infrastructure, the compromise of cryptographic security can lead to unauthorized modification of control signals, disruption of operations, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the device's ability to maintain secure communications with network management systems, other network devices, and connected industrial equipment. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to network management interfaces, potentially leading to full system compromise and operational disruption.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to versions that implement strong cryptographic algorithms and protocols. Network administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices within their infrastructure and prioritize remediation efforts. The implementation of network segmentation and additional security controls can provide temporary protection while firmware updates are deployed. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through anomalous network behavior or unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and authentication mechanisms that do not rely solely on the device's cryptographic implementation. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware in industrial environments and aligns with attack patterns documented in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the credential access and defense evasion tactics, emphasizing the need for robust cryptographic implementations in industrial control systems.