CVE-2017-16715

Moxa · NPort

Moxa NPort devices are vulnerable to an information exposure flaw caused by improper handling of Ethernet frame padding, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Executive summary

A critical information exposure vulnerability in Moxa NPort serial device servers may allow unauthorized parties to access sensitive data due to flawed Ethernet frame padding handling.

Vulnerability

This vulnerability involves an information exposure flaw within the device's handling of Ethernet frame padding. An attacker on the local network could potentially leverage this flaw to intercept or view data that should remain protected.

Business impact

The CVSS score of 8.6 indicates a high-severity risk, primarily regarding the confidentiality and integrity of industrial communication traffic. Unauthorized exposure of this data can lead to the compromise of proprietary operational configurations or sensitive process information, potentially resulting in significant operational downtime or loss of intellectual property.

Remediation

Immediate Action: Update all affected NPort devices to the latest firmware versions provided by Moxa at the official support portal.

Proactive Monitoring: Monitor network traffic for unusual Ethernet frames or unexpected communication patterns originating from serial device servers.

Compensating Controls: Implement network segmentation to isolate industrial devices from untrusted network segments and restrict access to these devices via firewalls.

Exploitation status

Public Exploit Available: false

Analyst recommendation

Given the high CVSS score of 8.6, organizations utilizing Moxa NPort devices must prioritize firmware updates. Failure to remediate could allow attackers to gain unauthorized visibility into industrial networks; therefore, patching should be scheduled immediately to mitigate the risk of information leakage.