CVE-2024-3576 in NPort 5100A
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2024
The NPort 5100A Series prior to version 1.6 is affected by web server XSS vulnerability. The vulnerability is caused by not correctly neutralizing user-controllable input before placing it in output. Malicious users may use the vulnerability to get sensitive information and escalate privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2025
The CVE-2024-3576 vulnerability affects the NPort 5100A Series industrial network devices running firmware versions prior to 1.6, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that compromises the security posture of network infrastructure equipment. This vulnerability resides within the web server component of the device, where insufficient input validation allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web responses. The flaw manifests when user-controllable input is directly incorporated into web page output without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms, creating an avenue for attackers to manipulate the device's web interface and execute unauthorized actions. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical weakness in web application security that enables attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including but not limited to session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the device's administrative interface. When a victim user accesses a maliciously crafted web page or interacts with a compromised device interface, the injected scripts execute in the context of the victim's browser, potentially allowing attackers to extract session cookies, access administrative functions, or redirect users to malicious websites. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the vulnerability can be leveraged to gain elevated privileges within the device's management interface, potentially enabling full administrative control over the network device. This represents a significant risk in industrial environments where such devices often serve as critical network gateways or protocol converters.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses severe risks to industrial control systems and network infrastructure security, particularly in environments where NPort 5100A devices are deployed for remote access or network management purposes. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, compromised web sessions, or direct web interface manipulation, making it particularly dangerous in environments with limited network segmentation or monitoring capabilities. Organizations utilizing these devices may face unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure, potential data exfiltration, and disruption of industrial processes. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where these devices are exposed to untrusted networks or where administrative access is not properly secured through additional authentication layers or network access controls.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate firmware upgrade to version 1.6 or later, which addresses the input validation issues and implements proper output encoding mechanisms to prevent script injection attacks. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls including web application firewalls, network segmentation, and regular vulnerability assessments to monitor for similar issues. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the importance of securing externally accessible network services and implementing proper input validation across all web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior in web interface access patterns and establish incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, conducting regular security awareness training for personnel who interact with these devices can help prevent social engineering attacks that may leverage this vulnerability.