CVE-2015-7846 in S7700
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei S7700, S9700, S9300 before V200R07C00SPC500, and AR200, AR1200, AR2200, AR3200 before V200R005C20SPC200 allows attackers with physical access to the CF card to obtain sensitive information.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7846 represents a critical security flaw in Huawei networking equipment spanning multiple product lines including S7700, S9700, S9300 series switches and AR200, AR1200, AR2200, AR3200 series routers. This weakness specifically affects devices running firmware versions prior to the mentioned security patches, creating a significant exposure for organizations relying on these network infrastructure components. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its accessibility through physical access to the CF card, a vector that many security teams do not typically consider in their threat modeling exercises. The flaw essentially allows unauthorized individuals with direct physical access to these devices to extract sensitive information from the storage medium, potentially compromising network security and operational integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate security controls within the device's boot process and storage management systems. When devices are equipped with CF cards for storage operations, the security mechanisms protecting sensitive data within these removable storage devices are insufficiently implemented or configured. This creates an attack surface where an attacker with physical access can directly access the card and extract confidential information including but not limited to authentication credentials, configuration files, and potentially cryptographic keys. The vulnerability manifests as a failure to properly enforce access controls on removable storage media, which is a fundamental security principle that should prevent unauthorized data extraction regardless of physical access to the device itself. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-254, which addresses security weaknesses related to improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in storage access management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of affected networks. Organizations with physical access controls that are not properly enforced on their networking equipment face significant risks including unauthorized access to network configurations, potential credential theft, and the possibility of establishing persistent access points within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by insiders or attackers who gain physical access to network devices, making it a critical concern for environments where physical security is not adequately maintained. This exposure can lead to cascading security failures as attackers may use the extracted information to conduct further attacks against the network, potentially resulting in complete compromise of network infrastructure and sensitive data within the organization's network perimeter.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7846 must address both the immediate firmware upgrade requirements and broader physical security considerations. Organizations should prioritize upgrading all affected Huawei networking equipment to the patched firmware versions specified in the security advisories, ensuring that the updates are properly validated and tested before deployment. The implementation of robust physical security measures becomes critical, including securing device access points, implementing proper asset tracking, and establishing clear policies for handling removable storage media. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized physical access attempts and establish procedures for immediate response to potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving physical access and credential dumping, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls that address both digital and physical attack vectors. The remediation process should include thorough inventory management to identify all affected devices, proper documentation of the upgrade process, and ongoing monitoring to ensure that the vulnerability has been effectively addressed across the entire network infrastructure.