CVE-2012-2163 in Scale Out Network Attached Storage
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Scale Out Network Attached Storage (SONAS) 1.1 through 1.3.1 allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary Linux commands via the (1) Command Line Interface or (2) Graphical User Interface, related to a "code injection" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2163 affects IBM Scale Out Network Attached Storage (SONAS) versions 1.1 through 1.3.1, representing a critical code injection flaw that enables remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary Linux commands on the affected system. This vulnerability resides within the command execution mechanisms of the SONAS platform, specifically impacting both the Command Line Interface and Graphical User Interface components. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization processes that fail to properly filter or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into system commands. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can craft malicious inputs that bypass normal authentication checks and execute unintended system-level operations, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and represents a classic command injection attack vector. The vulnerability operates by allowing authenticated users to manipulate input fields within the administrative interfaces, where user-provided commands or parameters are directly concatenated into system command strings without proper sanitization. This design flaw enables attackers to inject malicious command sequences that get executed with the privileges of the administrative account. The attack surface extends across both interface types, meaning that exploitation can occur through either the CLI or GUI components, providing multiple attack vectors for potential adversaries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to enterprise storage environments as it allows attackers with valid administrative credentials to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary system commands. The implications extend beyond simple command execution, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the storage infrastructure. Organizations using IBM SONAS in production environments face significant risk if this vulnerability remains unpatched, particularly in scenarios where administrative accounts are compromised or where lateral movement occurs within the network. The vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a pathway to bypass normal access controls and execute privileged operations that could fundamentally alter or destroy storage system configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2163 should prioritize immediate patch application from IBM, as this vulnerability requires no special privileges beyond existing administrative access for exploitation. Organizations should implement strict input validation controls and sanitize all user inputs before processing, particularly within administrative interfaces. Network segmentation and least-privilege principles should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, monitoring and logging of administrative activities should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and command execution practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing application-level firewalls and web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious command execution patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.