EDR-810 Series: Reliance on Security Through Obscurity
CVE-2024-9138 is a high-severity reliance on security through obscurity vulnerability in EDR-810 Series from Moxa, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected EDR-810 Series versions: 1.0 through 5.12.37. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.15% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 67% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of EDR-810 Series you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on moxa.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moxa | EDR-810 Series | 1.0 through 5.12.37 | Not stated |
| Moxa | EDR-8010 Series | 1.0 through 3.13.1 | Not stated |
| Moxa | EDR-G902 Series | 1.0 through 5.7.25 | Not stated |
| Moxa | EDR-G903 Series | 1.0 through 5.7.25 | Not stated |
| Moxa | EDR-G9004 Series | 1.0 through 3.13.1 | Not stated |
| Moxa | EDR-G9010 Series | 1.0 through 3.13.1 | Not stated |
| Moxa | EDF-G1002-BP Series | 1.0 through 3.13.1 | Not stated |
| Moxa | NAT-102 Series | 1.0 through 1.0.5 | Not stated |
| Moxa | OnCell G4302-LTE4 Series | 1.0 through 3.13 | Not stated |
| Moxa | TN-4900 Series | 1.0 through 3.13 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (moxa.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.6 | High | CNA (moxa.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.2 | High | CNA (moxa.com) |
Official description
Moxa’s cellular routers, secure routers, and network security appliances are affected by a high-severity vulnerability, CVE-2024-9138. This vulnerability involves hard-coded credentials, enabling an authenticated user to escalate privileges and gain root-level access to the system, posing a significant security risk.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Reliance on Security Through Obscurity
The product uses a protection mechanism whose strength depends heavily on its obscurity, such that knowledge of its algorithms or key data is sufficient to defeat the mechanism.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Always consider whether knowledge of your code or design is sufficient to break it. Reverse engineering is a highly successful discipline, and financially feasible for motivated adversaries. Black-box techniques are established for binary analysis of executables that use obfuscation, runtime analysis of proprietary protocols, inferring file formats, and others.
- When available, use publicly-vetted algorithms and procedures, as these are more likely to undergo more extensive security analysis and testing. This is especially the case with encryption and authentication.
- Obscurity can be one small part of defense in depth, since it can create more work for an attacker; however, it is a significant risk if used as the primary means of protection.
More Reliance on Security Through Obscurity vulnerabilities (CWE-656)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in EDR-810 Series
- 8.6 High severity
- 9.2 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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