CVE-2012-2166 in XIV Storage System
Summary
by MITRE
IBM XIV Storage System 2810-A14 and 2812-A14 devices before level 10.2.4.e-2 and 2810-114 and 2812-114 devices before level 11.1.1 have hardcoded passwords for unspecified accounts, which allows remote attackers to gain user access via unspecified vectors. IBM X-Force ID: 75041.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2166 affects IBM XIV Storage System devices including the 2810-A14, 2812-A14, 2810-114, and 2812-114 models operating before specific firmware levels. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the authentication mechanisms of these enterprise storage systems. The issue stems from hardcoded credentials embedded within the device firmware, a practice that violates fundamental security principles and creates persistent attack vectors that persist across system updates and reboots. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-798 category of using hardcoded credentials, which is classified as a high-severity weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The affected systems are particularly concerning because storage systems serve as central repositories for sensitive data and are often considered critical infrastructure components within enterprise environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the presence of default or hardcoded passwords for unspecified accounts within the storage system's firmware. These credentials are typically embedded during the manufacturing process and remain unchanged throughout the device's operational lifecycle. Attackers can leverage these hardcoded credentials through unspecified network vectors to establish unauthorized user access to the storage systems. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the devices, significantly expanding the potential attack surface. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through various network protocols or interfaces, potentially including web management interfaces, storage protocols, or direct network connections. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any location with network connectivity to the affected systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as storage systems contain critical enterprise data that requires robust protection. Successful exploitation allows attackers to gain user-level access that could potentially escalate to administrative privileges, depending on the system configuration and the specific accounts affected by the hardcoded credentials. The consequences include data exfiltration, data corruption, system disruption, and potential lateral movement within the network. Storage systems often serve as targets for attackers seeking to compromise sensitive information, and the presence of hardcoded credentials removes the ability to properly secure these critical assets. This vulnerability can be particularly devastating in environments where the storage systems house customer data, financial records, or other sensitive information that requires protection under various compliance frameworks such as pci dss, hipaa, or gdpr. The long-term implications include the potential for persistent access to systems that may remain undetected for extended periods, creating ongoing security risks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that include firmware updates to the latest available versions that address the hardcoded credential issue. The recommended approach involves upgrading to IBM XIV Storage System firmware levels 10.2.4.e-2 or later for the affected A14 models and 11.1.1 or later for the 114 models. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of these systems to untrusted networks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts and credential usage patterns. The implementation of network-based intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all affected devices within their infrastructure and implement proper credential management practices to prevent similar issues in the future. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authentication design and the dangers of embedded credentials in enterprise systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access through network-based attacks. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the firmware updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing storage configurations and that proper access controls are maintained throughout the network infrastructure.