CVE-2005-3327 in Network Appliance Data ONTAP
Summary
by MITRE
Network Appliance Data ONTAP 7.0 and earlier allows iSCSI Initiators to bypass iSCSI authentication via a modified client that skips the Security (Start) mode, as required by the Login Negotiation protocol, and uses Operational mode without proving identity.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3327 represents a critical weakness in Network Appliance Data ONTAP versions 7.0 and earlier systems that specifically affects iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) authentication mechanisms. This flaw enables malicious actors to circumvent the established security protocols designed to protect storage networks by exploiting a weakness in the iSCSI login negotiation process. The vulnerability occurs at the protocol level where the system fails to properly enforce authentication requirements during the initial connection phase, creating an exploitable gap that can be leveraged by attackers with network access to gain unauthorized access to storage resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the iSCSI protocol's login negotiation sequence where the standard security model requires initiators to establish a Security (Start) mode before proceeding to Operational mode. In affected Data ONTAP systems, attackers can craft modified iSCSI initiators that skip this mandatory security phase entirely, allowing them to transition directly into Operational mode without proper identity verification. This bypass mechanism violates the fundamental security principle of authentication and authorization that should occur before any operational commands are processed. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to present themselves as an authenticated user without actually proving their identity through the required cryptographic or credential verification processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with direct access to storage resources that would normally be protected by authentication mechanisms. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially access, modify, or delete sensitive data stored on the affected storage systems. The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data exfiltration, system disruption, and compromise of the entire storage infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where iSCSI is used for critical storage operations, as it undermines the trust model that allows organizations to rely on network-based storage solutions. The attack can be executed remotely by any individual with network access to the iSCSI target, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network segmentation is not properly implemented.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-307 (Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts) and represents a failure in the authentication process that violates fundamental security principles. The issue can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1110.003 (Credential Access: Brute Force: Password Guessing) in cases where attackers attempt to bypass authentication entirely rather than brute force credentials. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Data ONTAP versions that properly enforce iSCSI authentication protocols, implementing network segmentation to limit access to iSCSI targets, and configuring proper firewall rules to restrict iSCSI traffic to trusted networks only. Additionally, monitoring for unusual iSCSI connection patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems specifically designed to identify authentication bypass attempts can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper protocol implementation and enforcement of security mechanisms at the network infrastructure level, particularly in storage environments where unauthorized access can result in catastrophic data loss and system compromise.