CVE-2014-0632 in VPLEX GeoSynchrony
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in EMC VPLEX GeoSynchrony 4.x and 5.x before 5.3 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
The CVE-2014-0632 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within EMC VPLEX GeoSynchrony software versions 4.x and 5.x prior to 5.3. This vulnerability resides in the geo-synchronization functionality that enables data replication across multiple storage arrays in distributed environments. The flaw specifically affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms that govern access to the geo-synchrony services, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability's classification as a directory traversal issue indicates that it allows attackers to manipulate file system paths and potentially access restricted directories or files that should normally be protected from unauthorized access. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in storage environments where sensitive data is replicated across geographically distributed locations, as it could enable attackers to gain access to replicated data or manipulate the synchronization processes that maintain data consistency across multiple sites. The vulnerability affects both version 4.x and 5.x of the software, indicating it was present across a significant portion of the product lifecycle and likely went undetected for an extended period.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that typically involve manipulating input parameters within the geo-synchrony communication protocols. Attackers who have authenticated access to the system can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the affected servers. The directory traversal aspect of the vulnerability suggests that it involves manipulation of path traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that allow access to files outside of the intended directory structure. This type of vulnerability is commonly categorized under CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker who has already compromised legitimate user credentials can escalate privileges and execute malicious code without requiring additional authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0632 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can potentially compromise the entire geo-synchronization infrastructure that maintains data consistency across distributed storage environments. Organizations utilizing EMC VPLEX GeoSynchrony for mission-critical data replication and disaster recovery operations face significant risks when this vulnerability exists in their environment. The ability to execute arbitrary code allows attackers to modify or delete replicated data, potentially causing data corruption or complete data loss across multiple sites. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to gain persistence within the storage infrastructure, creating backdoors that persist across system restarts or maintenance cycles. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for environments that rely on automated replication processes and continuous data availability. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that geo-synchrony services often operate across network boundaries, potentially allowing attackers to exploit this vulnerability from remote locations without requiring physical access to the storage infrastructure.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address the CVE-2014-0632 vulnerability. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to EMC VPLEX GeoSynchrony version 5.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the directory traversal flaw. This upgrade process should be carefully planned and tested to ensure that existing geo-synchronization configurations remain functional after the patch is applied. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the attack surface of geo-synchrony services, restricting access to only authorized administrative users and systems. Regular monitoring of authentication logs should be enabled to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability requires authenticated access and would likely generate unusual authentication patterns. Security teams should also implement network intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious path traversal patterns in geo-synchrony communication protocols. The vulnerability's presence in both 4.x and 5.x versions indicates that organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of their storage infrastructure to identify all instances of affected software versions and ensure that all geo-synchrony components are properly patched and updated according to vendor security advisories.