CVE-2020-7007 in EDS-G516E
Summary
by MITRE
In Moxa EDS-G516E Series firmware, Version 5.2 or lower, the attacker may execute arbitrary codes or target the device, causing it to go out of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2024
The Moxa EDS-G516E Series is a network switch device commonly used in industrial environments for connecting various networked devices and systems. This particular vulnerability exists within the firmware version 5.2 or lower of the device, representing a critical security flaw that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized control over the network infrastructure. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution, which means an attacker could potentially inject and run malicious software directly on the device, effectively taking control of the switch's operations and network traffic management capabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and security controls within the device's firmware implementation. When the device processes network traffic or configuration data, it fails to properly validate the integrity and authenticity of incoming data streams, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious payloads that can be executed within the device's operational environment. This flaw represents a classic buffer overflow or injection vulnerability that could be leveraged to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute unauthorized commands. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service conditions where an attacker could cause the device to become unresponsive or crash entirely.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to industrial network security and operational continuity. The EDS-G516E Series devices are often deployed in critical infrastructure environments where network availability and security are paramount. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could disrupt network communications, potentially causing cascading failures in connected systems, or gain a foothold to move laterally within the network to compromise other devices. The device's role in managing network traffic makes it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access points or to intercept and manipulate network communications between critical systems.
The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to several adverse outcomes including unauthorized network access, data interception, and potential disruption of industrial control systems. Organizations using these devices should consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of such an attack. The device's firmware update mechanism should be evaluated for proper security controls to prevent unauthorized firmware modifications. Network monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual traffic patterns or authentication attempts that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack mitigation framework, particularly those targeting industrial control systems and network infrastructure devices.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate firmware updates to address this vulnerability, as Moxa has likely released patches to resolve the issue. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-78 and CWE-79 categories related to command injection and cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, respectively. Organizations should also implement network access controls and ensure proper network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if the device is compromised. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated firmware versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The attack surface for this vulnerability extends to any network traffic that passes through the affected device, making comprehensive network monitoring essential for early detection of potential exploitation attempts.