CVE-2014-0645 in Cloud Tiering Appliance Software
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Cloud Tiering Appliance (CTA) 9.x through 10 SP1 and File Management Appliance (FMA) 7.x store DES password hashes for the root, super, and admin accounts, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information via a brute-force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2026
The EMC Cloud Tiering Appliance CTA 9.x through 10 SP1 and File Management Appliance FMA 7.x contain a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive authentication credentials through improper password storage mechanisms. This vulnerability affects the root, super, and admin accounts, which are fundamental administrative accounts within these enterprise storage solutions. The flaw represents a significant weakness in the authentication infrastructure, as it stores password hashes using the deprecated Data Encryption Standard algorithm rather than modern cryptographic methods. This design decision creates a substantial attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to critical enterprise storage systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the use of DES encryption for password hashing, which is inherently weak and susceptible to brute-force attacks. The DES algorithm, with its 56-bit key length, provides minimal security against modern computational capabilities and has been deprecated for decades in favor of stronger cryptographic standards. The vulnerability manifests when attackers can obtain the password hash files and subsequently attempt to reverse-engineer the original passwords through dictionary attacks or brute-force methodologies. This weakness directly violates security best practices outlined in industry standards such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology guidelines for cryptographic key management and password storage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of enterprise storage environments. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can gain administrative access to critical storage infrastructure, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system disruption, or lateral movement within network environments. The context-dependent nature of the attack means that adversaries need some level of initial access or reconnaissance to obtain the password hash files, but once obtained, the relatively weak DES implementation makes successful exploitation highly probable. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the credential access and privilege escalation domains, specifically targeting the use of weak cryptographic implementations for credential storage.
Organizations deploying these EMC appliances face significant risk exposure due to this vulnerability, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by both internal and external adversaries. The presence of weak password hashing mechanisms undermines the overall security posture of enterprise storage infrastructures, particularly in environments where these appliances manage critical data assets. Security professionals should consider implementing additional monitoring and access controls around these systems while prioritizing immediate remediation efforts to address the cryptographic weakness. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to established security frameworks and standards, as it represents a clear deviation from recommended practices for password storage and cryptographic implementation in enterprise systems.