CVE-2016-0913 in Replication Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The client in EMC Replication Manager (RM) before 5.5.3.0_01-PatchHotfix, EMC Network Module for Microsoft 3.x, and EMC Networker Module for Microsoft 8.2.x before 8.2.3.6 allows remote RM servers to execute arbitrary commands by placing a crafted script in an SMB share.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0913 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting EMC Replication Manager and related network modules. This vulnerability resides in the client-side component of EMC's replication and backup solutions, specifically impacting versions prior to 5.5.3.0_01-PatchHotfix for Replication Manager, 3.x for Network Module for Microsoft, and 8.2.x versions before 8.2.3.6 for Networker Module for Microsoft. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and inadequate access controls within the SMB share processing functionality, creating a dangerous attack vector that allows remote adversaries to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems.
The technical mechanism of exploitation involves a crafted script being placed within an SMB share that the vulnerable client component will automatically process and execute. This represents a classic insecure deserialization vulnerability pattern where the system blindly trusts and executes content from network shares without proper validation or sanitization. The vulnerability operates at the protocol level, leveraging the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol's file sharing capabilities to deliver malicious payloads. Attackers can exploit this by setting up a malicious SMB share containing a specially crafted script that gets executed when the vulnerable client attempts to access or process files from that share. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and more specifically aligns with CWE-78, which addresses OS command injection vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using affected EMC products. Remote attackers who gain access to network shares or can influence the contents of SMB shares can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user account running the EMC client processes. This typically translates to system compromise, data exfiltration, lateral movement within networks, and potential complete system takeover. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can be leveraged by attackers who have access to network shares or can manipulate network traffic. Organizations with distributed backup and replication environments are especially at risk, as these systems often run with elevated privileges and may be accessible from multiple network segments. The attack surface is broad since SMB shares are commonly used for backup operations and replication tasks, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0913 should focus on immediate patching of all affected EMC products to the recommended versions or later. Organizations must ensure that all systems running EMC Replication Manager, Network Module for Microsoft, and Networker Module for Microsoft are updated to versions that contain the security fixes. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict access to SMB shares and limit the potential impact of exploitation. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and anomaly detection for SMB traffic can help identify suspicious activities related to this vulnerability. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary SMB shares and implementing strict file access controls on systems running affected software. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure compatibility and prevent operational disruptions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive security teams to address promptly.