CVE-2015-4526 in RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines
Summary
by MITRE
EMC RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines (VMs) 4.2 allows local users to obtain root-shell access by bypassing the Installation Manager Boxmgmt CLI interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4526 affects EMC RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines version 4.2, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that enables local attackers to gain root shell access through manipulation of the Installation Manager Boxmgmt CLI interface. This vulnerability resides within the command line interface management system that governs the installation and configuration processes of the RecoverPoint appliance, creating an exploitable path for unauthorized elevation of privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the Boxmgmt CLI interface. Local users can exploit this weakness by crafting specific commands or sequences that bypass the normal authentication and authorization checks typically enforced by the installation manager. The flaw essentially allows attackers to execute administrative commands with elevated privileges without proper authentication, effectively undermining the security model of the appliance. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and specifically demonstrates weaknesses in privilege management and command execution validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it transforms a local user account into a root-level administrative session, providing complete control over the RecoverPoint appliance and all associated virtual machine replication services. Attackers could potentially modify system configurations, access replicated data, alter replication policies, or even introduce malicious code that persists across system reboots. The compromised appliance could serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration, particularly in environments where RecoverPoint appliances manage critical virtual infrastructure and data protection services. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4526 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from EMC, as the vendor would have released a security update addressing the flawed CLI interface validation. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit local access to critical appliances and establish strict access controls for administrative interfaces. Regular security assessments should verify that the installation manager and CLI components are properly configured with appropriate user permissions and that audit logging is enabled to detect unauthorized access attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring controls specifically targeting command execution patterns within the Boxmgmt CLI interface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining secure command-line interfaces and proper privilege separation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through improper access control mechanisms.