CVE-2015-7938
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass authentication on Advantech EKI-132x industrial networking devices. Attackers can gain unauthorized access to device management interfaces without valid credentials. Organizations using these devices with firmware older than 2015-12-31 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Advantech EKI-1322
- Advantech EKI-1324
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of industrial network devices allowing attackers to reconfigure network settings, disrupt operations, or use devices as pivot points into critical infrastructure networks.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to device management interfaces enabling configuration changes, network disruption, or credential harvesting.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if devices are behind firewalls with strict network segmentation and access controls.
🎯 Exploit Status
Authentication bypass vulnerabilities typically require minimal technical skill to exploit once the vector is understood.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Firmware dated 2015-12-31 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-15-344-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download latest firmware from Advantech support portal. 2. Backup current configuration. 3. Upload new firmware via web interface. 4. Reboot device. 5. Restore configuration if needed.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allIsolate EKI-132x devices from untrusted networks using firewalls and VLANs
Access Control Lists
allImplement strict network ACLs to limit management interface access to authorized IPs only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Segment devices on isolated network segments with strict firewall rules
- Implement network monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to device management interfaces
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check firmware version via web interface: System > Firmware Information. If date is before 2015-12-31, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
No CLI command - check via web interface at System > Firmware InformationVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware date is 2015-12-31 or later in System > Firmware Information. Test authentication requirements for all management interfaces.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed authentication attempts followed by successful access
- Configuration changes from unexpected IP addresses
- Multiple login attempts from single source
Network Indicators:
- HTTP/HTTPS traffic to device management ports from unauthorized sources
- Unusual configuration change traffic patterns
SIEM Query:
source_ip NOT IN (authorized_management_ips) AND dest_port IN (80,443,22,23) AND dest_ip IN (eki_device_ips)