ICS Advisory

NetComm Wireless 4G LTE Light Industrial M2M Router

Last Revised
Alert Code
ICSA-18-221-02

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • CVSS v3 9.8
  • ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low skill level to exploit
  • Vendor: NetComm Wireless
  • Equipment: 4G LTE Light Industrial M2M Router
  • Vulnerabilities: Information Exposure, Cross-site Request Forgery, Cross-site Scripting, Information Exposure through Directory Listing

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow for the exposure of sensitive information.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of the 4G LTE Light Industrial M2M Router (NWL-25), a cellular router, are affected:

  • 4G LTE Light Industrial M2M Router (NWL-25) with firmware 2.0.29.11 and prior.

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1    INFORMATION EXPOSURE CWE-200

The device allows access to configuration files and profiles without authenticating the user. 

CVE-2018-14782 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

3.2.2    CROSS-SITE REQUEST FORGERY CWE-352

A cross-site request forgery condition can occur, allowing an attacker to change passwords of the device remotely. 

CVE-2018-14783 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 9.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.2.3    IMPROPER NEUTRALIZATION OF INPUT DURING WEB PAGE GENERATION ('CROSS-SITE SCRIPTING') CWE-79

The device is vulnerable to several cross-site scripting attacks, allowing a remote attacker to run arbitrary code on the device. 

CVE-2018-14784 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 9.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.2.4    INFORMATION EXPOSURE THROUGH DIRECTORY LISTING CWE-548

The directory of the device is listed openly without authentication. 

CVE-2018-14785 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Communications
  • COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
  • COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Australia

3.4 RESEARCHER

Aditya K. Sood reported these vulnerabilities to NCCIC.

4. MITIGATIONS

NetComm Wireless has released a new firmware version to mitigate the vulnerabilities. Affected users may download the firmware from: https://support.netcommwireless.com/product/nwl-25#Firmware

NCCIC recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. Specifically, users should:

  • Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure that they are not accessible from the Internet.
  • Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls, and isolate them from the business network.
  • When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing that VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize that VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.

NCCIC reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

NCCIC also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS-CERT web page. Several recommended practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS-CERT website in the Technical Information Paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing any suspected malicious activity should follow their established internal procedures and report their findings to NCCIC for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploits specifically target these vulnerabilities. 

This product is provided subject to this Notification and this Privacy & Use policy.

Vendor

  • NetComm Wireless