CVE-2016-0912 in Data Domain OS
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Data Domain OS 5.4 through 5.7 before 5.7.2.0 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended password-change restrictions by leveraging access to (1) a different account with the same role as a target account or (2) an account's session at an unattended workstation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0912 affects EMC Data Domain Operating System versions 5.4 through 5.7 before 5.7.2.0, representing a significant authentication bypass flaw that undermines the system's password change security controls. This weakness enables remote authenticated attackers to circumvent intended restrictions designed to protect account credentials, potentially leading to unauthorized privilege escalation and persistent access to sensitive data environments. The vulnerability resides in the system's session management and authentication mechanisms, specifically targeting the validation processes that should prevent unauthorized password modifications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct but related attack vectors that leverage existing authentication sessions and account privileges. Attackers can exploit the flaw by either accessing a different account that possesses the same role as the target account, thereby leveraging role-based access controls to bypass password change restrictions, or by utilizing an active session from an account at an unattended workstation. This dual exploitation method demonstrates the vulnerability's design flaw in session isolation and privilege validation, where the system fails to properly validate whether the password change request originates from an authorized session or account context.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0912 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to maintain persistent access to enterprise storage environments that often contain critical business data and sensitive information. When combined with other vulnerabilities or attack techniques, this flaw can facilitate broader compromise of the Data Domain system, potentially allowing attackers to modify system configurations, access stored data, or establish backdoor access points. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from external network locations, significantly increasing the attack surface and reducing the effectiveness of traditional network-based security controls.
Organizations utilizing affected EMC Data Domain systems face substantial risk from this vulnerability, particularly in environments where data security and access control are paramount. The attack vectors exploit fundamental security assumptions about session integrity and account isolation, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or impersonate legitimate users without proper authentication. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in system design, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1531 for credential stuffing, demonstrating how the flaw can be leveraged within broader attack frameworks. The vulnerability's persistence is particularly concerning as it allows attackers to maintain access even after initial compromise, making it a significant concern for enterprise security operations and compliance requirements.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of EMC's security patch version 5.7.2.0, which addresses the session validation and authentication bypass mechanisms. Organizations should also implement enhanced monitoring of password change activities and session management logs to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular security assessments should verify that all related systems have been properly patched. Additionally, implementing proper session management policies, including automatic session timeouts and secure workstation practices, can significantly reduce the risk associated with the unattended workstation exploitation vector.