CVE-2026-8173 in Xelity
Summary
by MITRE • 08/24/2026
The web GUI of affected Murrelektronik Xelity switches logs MAC addresses from the devices MAC address table when an authenticated administrator uses the 'Copy learned MAC Addresses' function. Due to improper generation of error messages, an unauthenticated attacker with network access to the web interface can retrieve the logged MAC addresses via browser developer tools.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2026
The vulnerability identified in Murrelektronik Xelity switches represents a significant information disclosure flaw within the device's web-based management interface. This specific weakness arises from the improper handling of error messages and logging mechanisms during administrative operations, specifically when an authenticated administrator utilizes the 'Copy learned MAC Addresses' function. While this action is intended for legitimate network administration tasks such as documenting connected devices or troubleshooting connectivity issues, the underlying implementation fails to sanitize or secure the data flow between the server-side processing and the client-side browser environment. Consequently, sensitive operational data that should remain confined to authenticated administrative sessions becomes accessible through unintended channels in the web application's architecture.
From a technical perspective, the core issue lies in how error messages are generated and displayed by the web interface when interacting with the MAC address table logging feature. The system appears to include raw or partially processed data from the internal MAC address table within these error responses without adequate access control checks for subsequent retrieval. An attacker who has established network connectivity to the switch's management IP can exploit this behavior by triggering specific conditions that cause the web interface to generate an error message containing the logged MAC addresses. By utilizing browser developer tools, such as the Network tab in modern browsers like Chrome or Firefox, a user can intercept and inspect these HTTP responses. Even though the attacker is not authenticated for administrative functions, they are often able to view standard network traffic and response payloads that include this sensitive information due to the lack of strict validation on what data is included in error logs visible to non-administrative sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability allows an unauthenticated remote actor with local network access to enumerate all devices connected to the switch's ports by their Media Access Control addresses. This capability facilitates detailed reconnaissance, enabling the attacker to map the physical topology of the network and identify specific endpoints such as servers, workstations, IoT devices, or other critical infrastructure components. Knowledge of MAC addresses can serve as a precursor for more advanced attacks, including ARP spoofing, MAC flooding denial-of-service attempts, or targeted exploitation if those MACs are associated with known vulnerable services running on the identified hosts. Furthermore, this disclosure violates the principle of least privilege and data confidentiality, exposing internal network details that should be protected from unauthorized observation.
This vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-209: Generation of Error Message Containing Sensitive Information, as it involves the exposure of sensitive operational data through error handling mechanisms. Additionally, it relates to CWE-749: Exposure of Sensitive Data Under Incorrect Access Control, since the information is accessible to users who lack the necessary privileges for that specific action or view. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this behavior supports reconnaissance activities categorized under ATT&CK technique T1018: Remote System Discovery, where an adversary gathers information about connected devices to plan further intrusions. The ability to retrieve MAC addresses via browser developer tools also highlights weaknesses in client-side data handling and API response sanitization, which are common pitfalls in embedded device web interfaces that prioritize functionality over security hardening.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. First, the vendor must patch the firmware to ensure that error messages generated during administrative operations do not include sensitive data such as MAC addresses unless explicitly required by a strictly authenticated session with appropriate logging controls. The web interface should implement strict access control checks at the API level, ensuring that any response containing internal network topology details is validated against the user's current authentication and authorization status before being sent to the client. Additionally, developers should sanitize all error outputs to remove or mask sensitive identifiers like MAC addresses, IP addresses, or hostnames in non-debug environments. For administrators currently using affected versions, it is recommended to restrict access to the web management interface by placing the switch behind a firewall that limits HTTP/HTTPS traffic to trusted administrative subnets only. Regular security audits of embedded device interfaces and adherence to secure coding standards for web applications can further reduce the risk of similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in future firmware updates.