CVE-2019-5136 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The Moxa AWK-3131A firmware version 1.13 contains a vulnerability in its iw_console feature that allows for privilege escalation, potentially leading to system access as the root user.

Understanding CVE-2019-5136

This CVE involves a privilege escalation vulnerability in the Moxa AWK-3131A firmware version 1.13, enabling attackers to bypass restrictions and gain root access.

What is CVE-2019-5136?

The vulnerability in the Moxa AWK-3131A firmware version 1.13 allows authenticated attackers with low privilege to exploit the iw_console feature, leading to privilege escalation and potential system access as the root user.

The Impact of CVE-2019-5136

CVSS Base Score: 8.8 (High)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: Low
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High
This vulnerability can be exploited by authenticated attackers to execute commands and gain unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-5136

The technical details of the CVE-2019-5136 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows for privilege escalation through the iw_console feature.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Moxa
Version: Moxa AWK-3131A Firmware version 1.13

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by using a specially crafted string in the menu selection to bypass restrictions and gain root access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2019-5136 with the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of the firmware.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.
Restrict access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by the vendor to address the vulnerability.