CVE-2022-3088 - Vulnerability in Moxa's ARM-based Computers Allows Gaining Root Privileges

CVE-2022-3088 is a critical vulnerability that exists in several versions of Moxa's ARM-based computer systems. This flaw could allow an attacker with user-level privileges to escalate their privileges and gain root access, resulting in a potential compromise of the system. In this post, we will delve into the specifics of the vulnerability and discuss the affected Moxa computer systems, the attack scenarios, and how to mitigate this security risk.

AIG-300 System Image: v1. to v1.4

10. UC-841A with Debian 9 System Image: Versions v4..2 and v4.1.2
11. UC-858 with Debian 9 System Image: Versions v2. and v2.1
12. UC-854 with Debian 9 System Image: Versions v2. and v2.1
13. DA-662C-16-LX (GLB) System Image: Versions v1..2 to v1.1.2

Exploit Details

In the affected Moxa ARM-based systems, there exists an execution with unnecessary privileges vulnerability. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by first gaining user-level access to the system. Once the attacker has user-level access, they can then use the vulnerability to escalate their privileges to root access.

The execution with unnecessary privileges vulnerability can be exploited by leveraging a carefully crafted exploit code that makes use of the weakness in the affected system. For example, an attacker might use an exploit like the following code snippet:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <unistd.h>
#include <sys/types.h>

int main() {
  setuid(); // Set the user ID to root ()
  printf("Executing privileged command\n");
  system("/bin/bash"); // Run a bash shell as root
  return ;
}

By compiling and executing the above code on the target system, an attacker could potentially gain root access to the affected devices.

It is essential to emphasize that this vulnerability can only be exploited if the attacker has already gained user-level access to an affected system. However, once the attacker is in the system, the vulnerability could lead to complete compromise of the device.

References

For more information on the CVE-2022-3088 vulnerability, you can refer to the original references provided by Moxa:

- Moxa Security Advisory

- CVE-2022-3088 Vulnerability Details

Mitigation

As of now, Moxa is working on releasing patches for the affected systems. Users should keep an eye on Moxa's official communication channels for the updated firmware and apply it immediately once it becomes available. In the meantime, users can follow these best practices:

Use strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to the devices.

4. Keep all software, including operating systems and applications, up-to-date with the latest security patches.

By following these best practices, Moxa ARM-based computer system users can minimize the potential risks arising from the CVE-2022-3088 vulnerability.

Timeline

Published on: 11/28/2022 22:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 12/07/2022 20:15:00 UTC