CVE-2015-5429 in Matrix Operating Environment
Summary
by MITRE
HP Matrix Operating Environment before 7.5.0 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or modify data via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-5427 and CVE-2015-5428.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5429 affects HP Matrix Operating Environment versions prior to 7.5.0, representing a significant security weakness in enterprise storage management systems. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of information disclosure and data modification flaws that can severely compromise the integrity and confidentiality of critical infrastructure environments. The affected system operates within the HP Matrix environment, which provides centralized management for storage arrays and virtualization platforms, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to gain unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise data.
The technical flaw in CVE-2015-5429 manifests through unspecified attack vectors that enable remote exploitation without requiring authentication or physical access to the target system. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the category of remotely exploitable flaws that can be leveraged from external networks, significantly expanding the potential attack surface. The vulnerability allows threat actors to either obtain sensitive information that should remain confidential or modify data within the system, creating both information disclosure and data integrity risks simultaneously. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 for information exposure and CWE-502 for data manipulation, though the specific technical mechanisms remain undisclosed in the public record.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5429 extends beyond simple data compromise, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the security architecture of enterprise storage management systems. Organizations relying on HP Matrix Operating Environment for their storage infrastructure face potential data breaches that could result in loss of sensitive corporate information, disruption of business operations, and compliance violations. The vulnerability's ability to facilitate both information disclosure and data modification creates a dual threat scenario where attackers can not only steal confidential data but also corrupt critical system information, potentially leading to system instability or complete service disruption. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to escalate their privileges within the storage management environment.
From a threat modeling perspective, CVE-2015-5429 aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including initial access through remote exploitation and privilege escalation via data manipulation capabilities. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that threat actors can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed management interfaces. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability exists in a specific version range, making version enumeration and patch management critical components of defensive strategy. Organizations must implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect exploitation attempts and establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely remediation across their storage infrastructure deployments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5429 should focus on immediate version upgrades to HP Matrix Operating Environment 7.5.0 or later releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of management interfaces to trusted networks only, while regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the broader storage ecosystem. Security teams should also establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts and data modification activities that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should maintain detailed inventory records of all HP Matrix Operating Environment installations to ensure complete remediation across their entire infrastructure and should consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to detect exploitation attempts targeting this and similar vulnerabilities.