CVE-2016-1313 in UCS Invicta
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco UCS Invicta C3124SA Appliance 4.3.1 through 5.0.1, UCS Invicta Scaling System and Appliance, and Whiptail Racerunner improperly store a default SSH private key, which allows remote attackers to obtain root access via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCun71294.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-1313 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco UCS Invicta storage appliances that affects multiple product lines including the C3124SA Appliance versions 4.3.1 through 5.0.1, UCS Invicta Scaling System, and Whiptail Racerunner devices. This issue stems from the improper storage of default SSH private keys within the affected systems, creating a significant attack surface that can be exploited by remote threat actors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it directly enables unauthorized root access to these enterprise storage systems, which typically serve as critical infrastructure components for data storage and management. The default SSH private key exposure creates a persistent backdoor that remains active across system reboots and updates, making it extremely difficult to detect and remediate without complete system reinstallation.
The technical flaw manifests through the insecure handling of cryptographic materials within the appliance firmware, where a default private key is embedded in the system configuration rather than being dynamically generated or properly secured during installation. This default key remains unchanged across deployments and can be identified through standard reconnaissance techniques, allowing attackers to establish authenticated sessions with elevated privileges. The vulnerability falls under CWE-310, which specifically addresses cryptographic issues related to the improper generation or handling of cryptographic keys. The weakness creates a direct path for privilege escalation attacks where remote adversaries can leverage the exposed private key to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain root-level access to the storage appliance. This configuration error fundamentally undermines the security model of the device, as the default key serves as a universal credential that can be used across multiple installations without requiring additional reconnaissance or exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as compromised storage appliances can lead to complete data breaches, system disruption, and potential lateral movement within enterprise networks. Storage appliances often contain sensitive corporate data and serve as central points for data access, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to critical infrastructure. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise, as the default key is typically well-documented and readily available in public repositories or security databases. Once compromised, attackers can manipulate storage configurations, access sensitive data, modify storage policies, and potentially use the appliance as a launching point for attacks against other network components. The issue affects organizations that deploy these appliances in production environments, particularly those with limited security monitoring capabilities that might not detect the use of default credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1313 require immediate action to address the default key exposure and implement proper cryptographic key management practices. Organizations should immediately replace the default SSH private keys with newly generated, strong cryptographic keys and ensure that all affected appliances are updated to the latest firmware versions that address this vulnerability. The recommended approach includes implementing automated key rotation mechanisms and establishing secure key management procedures that prevent the use of default credentials in production environments. Security teams should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices and ensure that proper access controls are implemented, including disabling unnecessary SSH services and implementing network segmentation to limit lateral movement. Additionally, organizations should review their security policies to ensure that default credentials are never deployed in production environments and that proper key management practices are enforced across all network infrastructure components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices related to cryptographic key management and the critical need for proper configuration management in enterprise storage systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access and T1078 for valid accounts to maintain persistent access to compromised systems.