CVE-2015-7268 in 850 Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Samsung 850 Pro and PM851 solid-state drives and Seagate ST500LT015 and ST500LT025 hard disk drives, when used on Windows and operating in Opal mode on Lenovo ThinkPad T440s laptops with BIOS 2.32 or ThinkPad W541 laptops with BIOS 2.21, or in Opal or eDrive mode on Dell Latitude E6410 laptops with BIOS A16 or Latitude E6430 laptops with BIOS A16, allow physically proximate attackers to bypass self-encrypting drive (SED) protection by triggering a soft reset and booting from an alternative OS, aka a "Forced Restart Attack."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7268 represents a critical weakness in self-encrypting drive implementations that affects multiple hardware vendors including Samsung and Seagate storage devices. This flaw specifically targets drives operating in Opal mode or eDrive mode on certain laptop platforms, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass encryption protections through physical proximity attacks. The vulnerability exploits the lack of proper protection mechanisms during system boot processes, particularly when drives are configured with enterprise-level encryption features designed to protect sensitive data at rest.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient protection against forced restart scenarios during the boot process of affected systems. When a drive is configured in Opal mode, it typically implements hardware-level encryption that should prevent unauthorized access to data even if the physical drive is removed from the system. However, the vulnerability allows attackers with physical proximity to trigger a soft reset of the system and subsequently boot from alternative operating systems or recovery media, effectively circumventing the encryption mechanisms that should protect the data. This attack vector specifically targets the boot sequence and power management states where encryption keys remain accessible to unauthorized parties.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it compromises the fundamental security model of self-encrypting drives that are designed to protect against physical attacks and unauthorized access. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to encrypted data without requiring sophisticated tools or extensive technical knowledge, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where sensitive corporate information may be stored on affected drives. The vulnerability affects specific combinations of hardware and firmware versions, creating a targeted attack surface that security professionals must monitor closely.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach that addresses both hardware and software configurations. Organizations should implement firmware updates from manufacturers when available, though in many cases these vulnerabilities may require hardware replacement or system redesign to fully address. System administrators should consider disabling Opal mode encryption on affected systems until proper patches are available, while also implementing additional security controls such as full disk encryption with strong key management, secure boot configurations, and physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310 and ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access through physical proximity attacks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security architectures that protect against both digital and physical threats.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the challenges in securing modern storage systems where hardware-level encryption must be carefully balanced with system usability and security requirements. This flaw demonstrates that even enterprise-grade security features can be compromised by attackers who understand the specific boot and reset behaviors of affected systems. Security professionals should consider implementing additional monitoring and detection mechanisms to identify potential forced reset attacks, while also ensuring that all systems are properly configured to prevent unauthorized boot from alternative media. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that encryption security is only as strong as the weakest link in the system architecture, which often includes the boot process and power management implementations.