CVE-2014-4811 in San Volume Controller Software
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Storwize 3500, 3700, 5000, and 7000 devices and SAN Volume Controller 6.x and 7.x before 7.2.0.8 allow remote attackers to reset the administrator superuser password to its default value via a direct request to the administrative IP address.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4811 affects IBM Storwize storage systems including models 3500, 3700, 5000, and 7000, along with SAN Volume Controller 6.x and 7.x versions prior to 7.2.0.8. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the authentication mechanisms of these enterprise storage solutions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication controls within the administrative interface, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to exploit a direct request mechanism to reset the superuser password to its default value. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles of access control and privilege management, creating a significant entry point for malicious actors seeking unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through a flaw in the administrative IP address communication protocol where attackers can send specially crafted requests that bypass normal authentication procedures. The system fails to properly validate the origin or authenticity of administrative requests, enabling remote exploitation without requiring prior credentials or authentication. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1110 for Brute Force attacks. The flaw operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting the administrative web interface and command execution mechanisms of the storage controllers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected IBM Storwize systems. Successful exploitation grants attackers complete administrative control over the storage infrastructure, enabling them to modify storage configurations, access sensitive data, manipulate storage volumes, and potentially disrupt business operations. The default password reset capability creates a persistent backdoor that remains active until the system is properly patched and updated. Organizations face significant risk of data breaches, compliance violations, and operational disruptions as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to critical storage resources. The vulnerability affects both the storage array management and the SAN Volume Controller components, amplifying the potential attack surface and impact scope.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4811 require immediate implementation of vendor-provided security patches and updates. Organizations should apply IBM's security fixes and updates to all affected systems, ensuring that the SAN Volume Controller reaches version 7.2.0.8 or later. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to restrict direct administrative access to these systems, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. The implementation of network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify suspicious administrative requests and unauthorized access attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining exposure. Additionally, organizations should review and implement proper network access controls, including firewalls and access control lists, to restrict direct IP address access to administrative interfaces. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical storage infrastructure from remote exploitation attempts.