CVE-2015-0529 in PowerPath Virtual Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
EMC PowerPath Virtual Appliance (aka vApp) before 2.0 has default passwords for the (1) emcupdate and (2) svcuser accounts, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information via a login session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2022
The EMC PowerPath Virtual Appliance represents a critical security vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0529, which affects versions prior to 2.0 of this virtualized storage management solution. This appliance serves as a centralized platform for managing storage arrays and provides essential functionality for enterprise storage environments. The vulnerability stems from the implementation of default credentials for two critical accounts within the system's authentication framework, specifically the emcupdate and svcuser accounts. These default passwords are hardcoded into the appliance software and remain unchanged during the standard installation process, creating a fundamental security weakness that undermines the appliance's ability to protect sensitive storage configuration data.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper credential management during the appliance deployment lifecycle. When administrators install the PowerPath vApp without modifying the default account passwords, these well-known credentials become accessible to any attacker who can reach the appliance's management interface. The vulnerability operates at the authentication layer, where the system accepts the default credentials without requiring additional verification or password complexity requirements. This weakness directly maps to CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software applications, and represents a classic example of poor security configuration management. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through network-based reconnaissance to identify the appliance, followed by authentication attempts using the known default credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as the compromised accounts provide access to sensitive storage management functions and configuration data. The emcupdate account typically provides administrative privileges for software updates and system maintenance, while the svcuser account offers service-level access to storage array configurations. An attacker who successfully authenticates using these default credentials gains the ability to view, modify, or delete critical storage configurations, potentially leading to data loss, service disruption, or unauthorized access to protected storage resources. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the appliance, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the appliance may be exposed to external networks. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, specifically highlighting the exploitation of default credentials as a primary attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0529 require immediate implementation of several security controls to address the default credential vulnerability. Organizations must conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all instances of the affected PowerPath vApp versions and ensure that default passwords are immediately changed for both emcupdate and svcuser accounts. The recommended approach involves implementing strong, unique passwords that meet complexity requirements and are regularly rotated according to organizational security policies. Network segmentation should be employed to restrict access to the appliance's management interfaces, limiting exposure to only authorized administrative workstations. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unauthorized authentication attempts and establish automated patch management processes to ensure all appliances are updated to versions that address this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive security testing to verify that default credentials have been properly replaced and that the appliance's security configuration aligns with industry best practices for secure system administration.