CVE-2016-1502 in SnapCenter Server
Summary
by MITRE
NetApp SnapCenter Server 1.0 and 1.0P1 allows remote attackers to partially bypass authentication and then list and delete backups via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1502 affects NetApp SnapCenter Server versions 1.0 and 1.0P1, presenting a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to circumvent authentication mechanisms and subsequently manipulate backup data. This flaw represents a significant compromise in the security architecture of the SnapCenter Server, which is designed to manage and protect enterprise data through automated backup and recovery operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls that allow unauthorized users to bypass the authentication process and gain access to backup management functionalities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves unspecified attack vectors that permit partial authentication bypass, suggesting a weakness in the server's session management or credential validation mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to backup operations, specifically enabling them to list existing backups and delete them entirely. This capability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a critical failure in the server's authorization framework. The vulnerability's classification as a partial bypass indicates that while full system access is not achieved, sufficient privileges are granted to perform destructive operations on backup data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to enterprise data protection strategies, as backup systems are fundamental components of disaster recovery and business continuity planning. The ability to delete backups compromises the integrity of data recovery processes and can result in permanent data loss for organizations relying on SnapCenter Server for their backup operations. The impact extends beyond immediate data destruction to include potential regulatory compliance violations, as many industries require robust backup retention and recovery capabilities. Organizations may face significant financial losses and reputational damage if backup systems are compromised and critical data becomes unrecoverable.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of authentication in the context of enterprise storage management. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploit public-facing application and T1485 for data destruction, demonstrating how the flaw can be leveraged to achieve both unauthorized access and destructive operations. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the organization's network, eliminating the need for insider access or physical presence.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest patches provided by NetApp, restricting network access to SnapCenter Server through firewalls, and implementing additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication. Network segmentation should be enforced to limit access to the server to only authorized administrative personnel, and monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing of backup management systems, which are often overlooked in security audits. Organizations should also review their backup retention policies and implement redundant backup systems to ensure data protection even if primary systems are compromised. The incident underscores the critical need for robust security controls in enterprise storage infrastructure, particularly in systems that manage sensitive data and critical business operations.