CVE-2012-2282 in Celerra Network Server
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Celerra Network Server 6.x before 6.0.61.0, VNX 7.x before 7.0.53.2, and VNXe 2.0 and 2.1 before 2.1.3.19077 (aka MR1 SP3.2) and 2.2 before 2.2.0.19078 (aka MR2 SP0.2) do not properly implement NFS access control, which allows remote authenticated users to read or modify files via a (1) NFSv2, (2) NFSv3, or (3) NFSv4 request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2282 affects EMC Celerra Network Server and VNX storage systems across multiple version ranges, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines fundamental network file sharing security mechanisms. This issue specifically targets the Network File System (NFS) implementation within these storage appliances, creating a pathway for authenticated remote attackers to bypass intended file access restrictions. The vulnerability spans across multiple product lines including Celerra 6.x, VNX 7.x, and VNXe 2.x series, indicating a widespread implementation flaw that affects enterprise storage infrastructure deployments. The affected versions demonstrate a failure in proper access control enforcement during NFS protocol operations, where the systems do not adequately validate file access permissions for incoming requests.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper implementation of NFS access control mechanisms within the storage appliance firmware. When remote authenticated users submit NFSv2, NFSv3, or NFSv4 requests, the system fails to properly enforce file system permissions and access controls that should normally restrict user access to specific files and directories. This flaw allows attackers who have already established authentication credentials to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to files they should not be able to read or modify. The vulnerability specifically impacts the NFS protocol stack where access control lists and permission checking mechanisms are bypassed, enabling arbitrary file operations through legitimate NFS requests. This represents a classic case of insufficient access control validation that falls under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The flaw demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement, where the system should validate each access request against user permissions before granting file operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with the ability to both read sensitive data and modify critical system files, potentially leading to data corruption, information disclosure, and system compromise. Remote authenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability from any network location where they have valid credentials, making the attack surface particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple users maintain access to storage systems. The implications are severe for organizations relying on these storage appliances for critical data operations, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to access confidential business data, modify system configuration files, or corrupt data integrity. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of stored information, creating potential for significant business disruption and regulatory compliance violations. The attack vector requires only authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised accounts, and represents a violation of the security principle that authenticated users should only access resources they are authorized to use.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates that address the NFS access control implementation flaws. The recommended remediation strategy involves upgrading to the patched versions of the affected software releases, specifically targeting the version numbers mentioned in the vulnerability description where the fixes are available. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit exposure of affected systems to unauthorized network access. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual NFS access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar access control flaws in other storage and network infrastructure components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation in storage systems and serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive security testing of network protocols and access control mechanisms. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, as it allows attackers to leverage legitimate authentication to escalate privileges and access restricted resources. Organizations should also review their NFS implementation security configurations and implement additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized file access patterns that could indicate exploitation of similar access control vulnerabilities.