Moxa MGate MB3180/MB3280/MB3480 Series Protocol Gateways Vulnerability
Low Risk1mgate-mb3180-mb3280-mb3480-protocol-gateways-vulnerabilityDec 23, 2021
Summary
A cleartext transmission vulnerability (CVE-2021-4161) exists in Moxa MGate MB3180/MB3280/MB3480 Series protocol gateways. Remote attackers on the network can obtain sensitive information such as credentials or configuration data because the device transmits this data without encryption. Moxa has developed related solutions to address this vulnerability but has not released a patched firmware version for existing devices.
What this means
What could happen
An attacker on the same network segment as the MGate gateway could intercept unencrypted communications and obtain sensitive information such as credentials or configuration data transmitted by the device.
Who's at risk
Water utilities, electric utilities, and manufacturing facilities using Moxa MGate MB3180, MB3280, or MB3480 Series protocol gateways for bridging legacy industrial devices (Modbus, Profibus, or other industrial networks) to modern systems. The gateways are commonly deployed in SCADA networks, remote terminal units (RTUs), and process automation systems.
How it could be exploited
An attacker positioned on the network segment where the MGate gateway communicates (same LAN, tapped network, or compromised intermediate device) can passively intercept network traffic to capture sensitive data being transmitted in cleartext. No active connection to the device itself is required.
Prerequisites
- Network access to the same network segment as the MGate gateway
- Ability to monitor network traffic (passive eavesdropping, packet capture capability)
- Communications between the gateway and other devices actively occurring
remotely exploitablecleartext data transmissionno patch availableaffects industrial control networks
Exploitability
Low exploit probability (EPSS 0.1%)
Affected products (1)
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
MGate MB3180/MB3280/MB3480All versionsNo fix (EOL)
Remediation & Mitigation
0/4
Do now
0/1WORKAROUNDContact Moxa for available mitigation solutions and workarounds
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/3Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption
HARDENINGIsolate the MGate gateway on a restricted network segment or VLAN separate from untrusted devices and external access points
HARDENINGDeploy network encryption (VPN, encrypted tunnels) between the MGate gateway and connected devices
HARDENINGMonitor and log all network connections to and from the MGate gateway to detect suspicious traffic patterns
CVEs (1)
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