CVE-2015-2252 in OceanStor UDS
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei OceanStor UDS devices with software before V100R002C01SPC102 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with root privileges via a crafted UDS patch with shell scripts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2252 affects Huawei OceanStor UDS (Unified Data Storage) devices running software versions prior to V100R002C01SPC102. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized root privileges on affected systems through the manipulation of patch files. The vulnerability specifically targets the patch installation mechanism of these storage devices, exploiting a design flaw in how the system processes and executes patch files containing shell scripts. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote execution of arbitrary code without requiring authentication or physical access to the device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and privilege escalation mechanisms within the UDS patch handling process. When a maliciously crafted patch file is uploaded and installed on an affected device, the system fails to properly sanitize the contents of the patch, particularly any embedded shell scripts. This flaw allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary commands with the highest possible privileges, effectively compromising the entire storage system. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-78 category of "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.004 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." The root cause lies in the lack of proper validation of patch file contents and the absence of privilege separation between the patch installation process and the execution of shell commands.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2252 is severe and multifaceted, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain full administrative control over the affected OceanStor UDS devices, enabling them to access, modify, or delete sensitive data stored on the storage arrays. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can target these devices from anywhere on the network, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where storage systems are often connected to internal networks. The compromise of storage devices can result in significant business disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and potential data loss or corruption that could affect critical business operations. Organizations relying on Huawei UDS solutions for their data storage infrastructure face substantial risk if they have not applied the necessary security patches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2252 should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of Huawei's official security patches and firmware updates. Organizations must ensure all affected Huawei OceanStor UDS devices are upgraded to software version V100R002C01SPC102 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to address the patch validation and execution flaws. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to these storage devices, restricting patch upload capabilities to authorized personnel only. Additionally, organizations should implement strict patch management policies and regularly audit their storage infrastructure for vulnerable systems. The implementation of network monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous patch upload activities or unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary patch upload mechanisms and implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access to storage devices. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the storage infrastructure, following industry best practices outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 for information security management.