CVE-2019-5139 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2019-5139 article provides insights into a vulnerability in the Moxa AWK-3131A firmware version 1.13, allowing the exploitation of hard-coded credentials.

Understanding CVE-2019-5139

The Moxa AWK-3131A firmware version 1.13 is susceptible to exploitation through several iw_* utilities due to hard-coded credentials, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

What is CVE-2019-5139?

The vulnerability in the Moxa AWK-3131A firmware version 1.13 involves the presence of undisclosed encryption passwords within the device's operating system, enabling the customization of diagnostic scripts.

The Impact of CVE-2019-5139

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium severity with a CVSS base score of 6.2. It poses a high risk to confidentiality as it allows unauthorized parties to access sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-5139

The technical details of CVE-2019-5139 shed light on the specific aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from the use of hard-coded credentials in multiple iw_* utilities of the Moxa AWK-3131A firmware version 1.13, facilitating unauthorized access to the device.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Moxa
Vendor: n/a
Version: Moxa AWK-3131A Firmware version 1.13

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging the hard-coded credentials present in the device's operating system to gain unauthorized access and potentially manipulate diagnostic scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-5139 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of the firmware that addresses the hard-coded credentials issue.
Implement strong, unique passwords for all device access.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by the vendor to mitigate the risk of exploitation.