CVE-2008-3349 in Data ONTAP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in NetApp Data ONTAP, as used on NetApp and IBM eServer platforms, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands, cause a denial of service (system crash), or obtain sensitive information, probably related to insufficient access control for HTTP requests. NOTE: this may overlap CVE-2008-3160.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3349 represents a critical security flaw within NetApp Data ONTAP software running on both NetApp and IBM eServer platforms. This issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the HTTP request processing subsystem, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited by remote threat actors. The vulnerability affects the core storage management functionality of these platforms, potentially compromising the integrity and availability of enterprise storage systems. Given the widespread deployment of NetApp storage solutions in enterprise environments, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations relying on these systems for critical data operations.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient validation and authorization checks within the HTTP request handling components of Data ONTAP. Attackers can exploit this weakness to bypass normal access controls and execute malicious commands on affected systems. The vulnerability's unspecified nature suggests multiple related weaknesses within the HTTP stack implementation, potentially including improper input sanitization, weak authentication mechanisms, or flawed session management. These issues create opportunities for attackers to manipulate HTTP requests in ways that should be restricted, ultimately leading to unauthorized system access. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) categories, which are fundamental to secure software development practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3349 extends beyond simple command execution capabilities to encompass full system compromise potential. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to cause system crashes and denial of service conditions, disrupting critical storage services and potentially leading to data unavailability for business operations. Additionally, the vulnerability enables information disclosure attacks where sensitive system data, configuration details, or user information could be accessed without proper authorization. The combination of remote code execution, denial of service, and information disclosure capabilities makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where storage systems serve as critical infrastructure components. Organizations may experience significant operational disruption and potential data loss when these vulnerabilities are successfully exploited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3349 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems through official NetApp security updates. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict HTTP access to essential administrative systems only, reducing the attack surface. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect anomalous HTTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework's T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1498 (Network Denial of Service) techniques are particularly relevant to this vulnerability's exploitation methods. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems and configuring proper logging mechanisms to track unauthorized access attempts. Given the overlapping nature with CVE-2008-3160, organizations should ensure comprehensive remediation efforts address both vulnerabilities simultaneously to prevent exploitation through alternative attack vectors.