CVE-2014-4624 in vSphere Data Protection
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Avamar Data Store (ADS) and Avamar Virtual Edition (AVE) 6.x and 7.0.x through 7.0.2-43 do not require authentication for Java API calls, which allows remote attackers to discover grid MCUser and GSAN passwords via a crafted call.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4624 affects EMC Avamar Data Store and Avamar Virtual Edition versions 6.x through 7.0.2-43, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that exposes sensitive grid credentials. This vulnerability resides within the Java API implementation of the Avamar backup and recovery systems, where the absence of proper authentication mechanisms allows unauthenticated remote attackers to access critical system information. The flaw specifically impacts the grid MCUser and GSAN passwords, which serve as fundamental authentication credentials for the Avamar environment and are essential for maintaining system integrity and data protection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted API calls that leverage the absence of authentication checks within the Java API endpoints. Attackers can remotely submit malicious requests to the system without requiring valid credentials, enabling them to retrieve sensitive password information directly from the grid configuration. This represents a significant weakness in the system's access control architecture, where the Java API layer fails to implement proper authentication validation before processing sensitive data requests. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of software vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing EMC Avamar systems, as the exposure of MCUser and GSAN passwords provides attackers with direct access to critical system functions and data protection mechanisms. Once compromised, these credentials can enable attackers to perform administrative operations, access backup data, modify system configurations, and potentially escalate privileges within the Avamar environment. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or prior credentials, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with limited network segmentation. This vulnerability directly undermines the principle of least privilege and creates a persistent security risk that can compromise the entire backup infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to Avamar systems, deployment of firewall rules to limit API endpoint exposure, and implementation of network monitoring to detect anomalous API access patterns. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-provided patches and updates released to address this specific authentication bypass vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive credential audits to identify any potential compromise and implement multi-factor authentication mechanisms where possible. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper API security design and emphasizes the need for regular security assessments of enterprise backup systems. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for unauthorized API access attempts and establish incident response procedures to address potential credential compromise scenarios.