CVE-2021-32974 in NPort IAW5000A
Summary
by MITRE • 04/02/2022
Improper input validation in the built-in web server in Moxa NPort IAW5000A-I/O series firmware version 2.2 or earlier may allow a remote attacker to execute commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-32974 represents a critical security flaw within the Moxa NPort IAW5000A-I/O series industrial networking equipment, specifically affecting firmware versions 2.2 and earlier. This issue resides in the device's built-in web server implementation, which serves as the primary interface for remote management and configuration of the industrial I/O system. The affected devices are commonly deployed in industrial control environments where reliable network connectivity and secure remote access are paramount for operational continuity.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web server component that processes HTTP requests from remote clients. When attackers send specially crafted requests to the device's web interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input before processing it. This improper validation creates a condition where maliciously formatted data can be interpreted and executed as commands by the underlying system. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution on the device's operating system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to industrial environments that rely on Moxa NPort IAW5000A-I/O series devices for critical infrastructure connectivity. Remote command execution capabilities could enable attackers to compromise entire industrial networks by gaining control over networked I/O points, potentially leading to disruption of critical processes, data manipulation, or unauthorized access to sensitive operational data. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect larger industrial control systems where these devices serve as network bridges or communication endpoints.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows malicious inputs to be processed without adequate sanitization. This weakness directly enables various attack vectors including command injection, code execution, and privilege escalation. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1210, "Exploitation of Remote Services," as it allows attackers to exploit network-accessible services to gain unauthorized access to systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these industrial devices are often deployed in environments with limited network segmentation and may be accessible from untrusted networks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to versions that address this vulnerability, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and implementation of network access controls to restrict web server access to authorized personnel only. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for suspicious HTTP requests and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include comprehensive network assessment to identify all affected devices and ensure that proper access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized remote access to industrial control systems.