CVE-2015-8020 in Clustered Data ONTAP
Summary
by MITRE
Clustered Data ONTAP versions 8.0, 8.3.1, and 8.3.2 contain a default privileged account which under certain conditions can be used for unauthorized information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8020 affects Clustered Data ONTAP storage systems running specific versions including 8.0, 8.3.1, and 8.3.2. This issue represents a critical security weakness that stems from the presence of a default privileged account within the system configuration. The flaw exists in the authentication and access control mechanisms of the storage platform, creating an unintended pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive system information. Such default accounts are commonly found in enterprise software products and represent a persistent security risk when they remain enabled or accessible without proper administrative oversight.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a hardcoded privileged account that is enabled by default during system installation or upgrade processes. This account typically possesses elevated permissions and access rights that exceed normal operational requirements. Attackers can exploit this weakness by leveraging the default credentials or by using the account in combination with other attack vectors to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the authentication layer and can potentially provide attackers with elevated privileges that allow them to read, modify, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the storage environment. This issue falls under the CWE category of hardcoded credentials and represents a fundamental flaw in the system's default security configuration.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8020 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential data compromise and system integrity violations. Organizations utilizing affected Clustered Data ONTAP versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their storage infrastructure, which may contain critical business data, customer information, or proprietary assets. The vulnerability can be exploited by both external attackers and insider threats, making it particularly dangerous in environments where security controls are not properly configured or monitored. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability may be able to access backup files, system logs, configuration data, or other sensitive information that could be used for further attacks or data exfiltration. The impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, specifically targeting default accounts and credentials as entry points for compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate administrative action to disable or remove the default privileged account from affected systems. Organizations should implement comprehensive credential management policies that enforce regular account review and deactivation of unused default accounts. Security hardening procedures must be applied to ensure that only necessary accounts remain active and that all accounts follow strong authentication practices. System administrators should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all instances of the affected software versions and apply the appropriate vendor patches or updates. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the potential impact of credential compromise. The remediation process should include monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and implementing intrusion detection systems to identify exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to prevent similar issues from arising in the future, aligning with security best practices outlined in frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards.