CVE-2015-7843 in FusionServer
Summary
by MITRE
The management interface on Huawei FusionServer rack servers RH2288 V3 with software before V100R003C00SPC603, RH2288H V3 with software before V100R003C00SPC503, XH628 V3 with software before V100R003C00SPC602, RH1288 V3 with software before V100R003C00SPC602, RH2288A V2 with software before V100R002C00SPC701, H1288A V2 with software before V100R002C00SPC502, RH8100 V3 with software before V100R003C00SPC110, CH222 V3 with software before V100R001C00SPC161, CH220 V3 with software before V100R001C00SPC161, and CH121 V3 with software before V100R001C00SPC161 does not limit the number of query attempts, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain credentials of higher-level users via a brute force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7843 affects Huawei FusionServer rack servers across multiple model variants including RH2288 V3, RH2288H V3, XH628 V3, and several others. This weakness resides in the management interface design where the system fails to implement proper rate limiting or account lockout mechanisms for authentication attempts. The affected software versions span multiple release cycles indicating a persistent flaw in the authentication framework that was not adequately addressed across different hardware platforms and firmware versions. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication process of the server management interface, which serves as a critical entry point for system administration and monitoring activities.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the absence of protective measures against brute force attacks within the management interface authentication mechanism. When remote authenticated users attempt to access the system, the interface does not enforce limits on the number of consecutive authentication attempts or implement account lockout procedures that would prevent automated credential guessing attacks. This design oversight allows malicious actors to systematically test numerous username and password combinations without encountering rate limiting restrictions or account lockouts. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-307 - Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts, which specifically addresses the lack of mechanisms to prevent automated brute force attacks against authentication systems. The absence of such protections creates a significant attack surface where attackers can leverage automated tools to discover valid administrative credentials through repeated trial and error attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the server management infrastructure. Successful exploitation allows attackers to gain access to higher-level administrative accounts, potentially enabling full control over server configurations, system monitoring, and access to sensitive operational data. The management interface typically provides access to critical system parameters, firmware updates, and user access controls that when compromised can lead to complete system takeover. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where these servers are deployed for critical infrastructure operations, as it creates a persistent risk for unauthorized access to server management functions. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access to the system, meaning that attackers who have already gained some level of access can escalate their privileges through this weakness. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 - Brute Force: Password Guessing, which specifically targets authentication systems through repeated credential testing attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of authentication rate limiting mechanisms and account lockout procedures within the management interface. Organizations should deploy configuration changes that enforce maximum failed authentication attempts before temporary account lockout, typically implementing delays between attempts or complete account lockout after a predetermined number of failures. The most effective approach involves upgrading the affected firmware versions to those that include proper authentication throttling mechanisms, which Huawei has addressed in subsequent releases. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit access to the management interface to trusted administrative networks only, reducing the attack surface available to potential attackers. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual authentication patterns that may indicate brute force attack attempts, enabling rapid response to suspicious activities. Security administrators should also implement multi-factor authentication for management interface access where possible, adding additional layers of protection beyond simple username and password authentication. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of implementing proper authentication security controls and demonstrates the necessity of regular security assessments to identify and remediate authentication-related weaknesses in enterprise infrastructure components.