CVE-2013-2352 in SAN
Summary
by MITRE
LeftHand OS (aka SAN iQ) 10.5 and earlier on HP StoreVirtual Storage devices does not provide a mechanism for disabling the HP Support challenge-response root-login feature, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain administrative access by leveraging knowledge of an unused one-time password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2352 affects LeftHand OS version 10.5 and earlier running on HP StoreVirtual Storage devices, representing a significant security weakness in enterprise storage infrastructure. This flaw resides in the authentication mechanism of the storage operating system, specifically concerning the HP Support challenge-response root-login feature that remains enabled by default without proper configuration controls. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to exploit a known weakness in the system's access control by leveraging unused one-time passwords, effectively bypassing normal authentication procedures and gaining unauthorized administrative privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of a configurable option to disable the HP Support challenge-response mechanism within the LeftHand OS environment. This feature, designed for legitimate support scenarios, operates by providing one-time passwords that can be used to establish root access to the storage device. However, the lack of administrative control over this feature means that unauthorized parties can potentially discover and utilize these unused passwords to gain full administrative control over the storage system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-668, which addresses "Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere," specifically in the context of authentication mechanisms where privileged access controls are improperly configured.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a critical risk to organizations relying on HP StoreVirtual Storage solutions, as it allows remote attackers to escalate privileges without requiring valid user credentials or complex attack vectors. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it enables unauthorized access through the network without physical presence or legitimate administrative access. This weakness can be exploited by attackers who have network access to the storage device, potentially leading to complete compromise of the storage infrastructure, data exfiltration, or disruption of storage services. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as administrative privileges on storage systems can provide attackers with control over critical data repositories and storage configurations.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate configuration changes to disable the HP Support challenge-response feature when it is not actively required for support purposes. Organizations should implement strict access controls and network segmentation to limit exposure of storage devices to untrusted networks. Regular security assessments and configuration reviews should be conducted to ensure that unnecessary administrative features remain disabled. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security best practices outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in the area of privilege escalation where attackers can leverage default configurations to gain unauthorized access. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect unusual authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper configuration management and the principle of least privilege in enterprise security implementations.