Moxa, a leader in industrial networking solutions, has discovered significant vulnerabilities in its range of cellular routers, secure routers, and network security appliances. These flaws could potentially compromise sensitive systems across various industries relying on Moxa’s technology. Ensuring the security of industrial networks is paramount, and the identification of these bugs underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining robust cybersecurity defenses.
Recent reports indicate that the vulnerabilities disclosed by Moxa are among the most severe identified this year, highlighting the persistent threats faced by industrial networks. Previous incidents have shown that hardware vulnerabilities can have widespread impacts, and Moxa’s proactive approach aims to mitigate such risks effectively. The high CVSS scores assigned to these flaws reflect the urgent need for remediation across affected devices.
What Are the Identified Vulnerabilities?
The first vulnerability, CVE-2024-9138, exploits hardcoded credentials within the firmware of ten Moxa products, allowing authenticated users to gain root access. The second, CVE-2024-9140, involves the use of special characters to bypass input restrictions, enabling remote command injection without authentication. Both vulnerabilities score highly on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, with CVE-2024-9138 rated at 8.6 and CVE-2024-9140 at 9.8, indicating critical security risks.
How Is Moxa Addressing the Issues?
Moxa has promptly developed software patches for many of the affected products. However, some devices like the NAT-102 Series secure routers and TN-4900 Series M12 routers do not yet have publicly available patches, requiring users to contact Moxa for technical support. The company advises immediate action to prevent exploitation, emphasizing the importance of applying updates as soon as they become available.
What Should Users Do If Patching Isn’t Possible?
For users unable to apply patches immediately, Moxa recommends minimizing network exposure by ensuring affected devices are not connected to the internet. Additionally, limiting SSH access to trusted IP addresses and implementing intrusion detection systems can help monitor and prevent potential attacks. These interim measures are crucial to maintaining network security until permanent fixes are applied.
Addressing these vulnerabilities is critical for maintaining the integrity of industrial networks that depend on Moxa’s products. By taking swift action and following recommended security practices, organizations can protect their systems from potential threats. The collaboration between Moxa and security researchers like Lars Haulin plays a vital role in enhancing the security posture of industrial environments.
Moxa’s reputation as a trusted provider in the industrial networking sector is reinforced through its commitment to addressing security issues promptly. Users across various industries, including those in energy, manufacturing, and technology, rely on Moxa’s solutions for their operational needs. Ensuring the security of these products is essential for sustaining trust and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
