CVE-2023-28697 in MiiNePort E1
Summary
by MITRE • 04/27/2023
Moxa MiiNePort E1 has a vulnerability of insufficient access control. An unauthenticated remote user can exploit this vulnerability to perform arbitrary system operation or disrupt service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28697 affects Moxa MiiNePort E1 industrial network devices, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of industrial control systems. This device serves as a crucial component in industrial environments where network connectivity and device management are essential for operational continuity. The vulnerability stems from inadequate authentication mechanisms that allow unauthorized remote access to system functions without proper verification of user credentials or privileges.
The technical implementation of this flaw manifests as a failure in the device's access control enforcement mechanisms, where the system does not adequately validate user identities before granting access to administrative functions or system operations. This insufficient access control vulnerability operates at the application layer and potentially affects the device's web-based management interface, where remote users can potentially execute arbitrary commands or manipulate system configurations. The vulnerability exists in the device's authentication flow, where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass normal security controls and gain unauthorized access to critical system functions.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform arbitrary system operations that could compromise the integrity and availability of industrial network infrastructure. Remote exploitation of this vulnerability could allow threat actors to disrupt service availability through system manipulation, configuration changes, or denial-of-service conditions. The potential for service disruption is particularly concerning in industrial environments where network reliability and system uptime are paramount for operational safety and business continuity. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to modify device configurations, access sensitive operational data, or create persistent backdoors within the industrial network infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses inadequate access control mechanisms in software systems, and represents a significant weakness in the device's security architecture that violates fundamental principles of network security. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1190 for exploitation of remote services, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access within industrial environments. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation, firewall rule enforcement, and mandatory access control policies to prevent unauthorized access to these industrial devices. The recommended remediation approach involves applying vendor-provided security patches, disabling unnecessary network services, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and conducting comprehensive network access reviews to ensure proper privilege controls are enforced across all industrial network components.