CVE-2007-6226 in Switched Rack Pdu
Summary
by MITRE
The American Power Conversion (APC) AP7932 0u 30amp Switched Rack Power Distribution Unit (PDU), with rpdu 3.5.5 and aos 3.5.6, allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and obtain login access by making a login attempt while a different client is logged in, and then resubmitting the login attempt once the other client exits.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2017
The CVE-2007-6226 vulnerability affects the American Power Conversion APC AP7932 PDU device, which is a critical component in data center power management infrastructure. This vulnerability resides in the authentication mechanism of the device's web-based management interface, specifically within the session handling and authentication flow. The flaw manifests in the device's inability to properly manage concurrent authentication attempts, creating a race condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets network infrastructure equipment that controls power distribution to critical systems, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking persistent access to data center environments. The affected versions rpdu 3.5.5 and aos 3.5.6 represent a specific software release where the authentication session management was not properly implemented to handle concurrent login scenarios, violating fundamental security principles of access control and session management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper session handling within the PDU's authentication subsystem. When a user attempts to log in while another client is already authenticated, the system fails to properly validate the authentication state before accepting subsequent login attempts. This creates a window of opportunity where an attacker can exploit the timing gap between session termination and new authentication acceptance. The vulnerability specifically targets the web interface authentication flow, where the device does not maintain proper state synchronization between concurrent login attempts. This flaw aligns with CWE-305 authentication bypass weakness, which describes scenarios where authentication mechanisms can be circumvented through improper session management or race condition exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in implementing proper access control mechanisms, as defined by the OWASP Top 10 security principles, where the system does not adequately protect against unauthorized access through flawed authentication processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with administrative privileges to manipulate critical power distribution infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain full control over the PDU's power management functions, potentially causing service disruptions, enabling further attacks through power manipulation, or creating persistent access points within the data center environment. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker does not require physical access to the device, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for distributed data center deployments. This type of vulnerability can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and persistence tactics. The vulnerability also represents a significant concern for compliance requirements, as it can lead to violations of security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 controls related to access control and audit logging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6226 should focus on immediate remediation through firmware updates provided by APC, as this vulnerability is a known issue that has been addressed in subsequent software releases. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate critical power distribution equipment from general network access, reducing the attack surface for remote exploitation. Additional protective measures include implementing strong network access controls, monitoring for unusual authentication patterns, and ensuring that administrative access to such devices requires multi-factor authentication. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper session management in embedded systems and network infrastructure devices, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing during development and regular security assessments of operational equipment. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous authentication behavior and alert administrators to potential exploitation attempts. Given the critical nature of power distribution infrastructure, organizations should develop incident response procedures specifically addressing unauthorized access to such equipment, as the potential for cascading failures and business disruption is significant.