CVE-2016-1560 in ExaGrid
Summary
by MITRE
ExaGrid appliances with firmware before 4.8 P26 have a default password of (1) inflection for the root shell account and (2) support for the support account in the web interface, which allows remote attackers to obtain administrative access via an SSH or HTTP session.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1560 affects ExaGrid storage appliances running firmware versions prior to 4.8 P26, representing a critical authentication flaw that undermines the security posture of these backup and archival systems. This weakness stems from the implementation of default credentials that persist across multiple administrative interfaces, creating a persistent attack vector for threat actors seeking unauthorized access to sensitive data infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically targets the root shell account and support account credentials, which are hardcoded with predictable values that remain unchanged unless manually modified by administrators.
The technical flaw manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit the same underlying issue of hardcoded default credentials. The first vector involves the root shell account which utilizes the default password "inflection" for command-line access, while the second vector targets the web interface support account that also maintains the same default credential. Both attack paths allow remote exploitation without requiring any specialized tools or advanced techniques, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with minimal technical expertise. The vulnerability exists at the authentication layer where proper credential management and account provisioning mechanisms fail to enforce unique, secure passwords during initial system setup.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability gain administrative privileges that provide full control over the appliance, including the ability to modify backup configurations, access stored data, manipulate system settings, and potentially use the compromised appliance as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. This represents a significant risk for organizations relying on ExaGrid appliances for critical data protection, as these devices often contain sensitive backup data that could be subject to theft or corruption. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the device, and the default credentials remain effective across all supported protocols including SSH and HTTP.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive remediation measures to address this vulnerability, beginning with mandatory firmware upgrades to version 4.8 P26 or later where default credentials are properly disabled or replaced with strong, unique passwords. System administrators must conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all affected appliances and ensure that default accounts are either disabled or have their credentials changed to complex, unique values that meet security best practices. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566.001 for credential access through default credentials. Additional mitigations should include network segmentation to limit access to these appliances, implementation of network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts, and regular security audits to ensure that all default accounts are properly secured. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper initial configuration and credential management in enterprise security infrastructure.