CVE-2016-2028 in Matrix Operating Environment
Summary
by MITRE
HPE Matrix Operating Environment before 7.5.1 allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information or modify data via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4357.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2019
The HPE Matrix Operating Environment represents a critical enterprise-level storage management platform that serves as the foundation for data center infrastructure orchestration and monitoring. This environment provides centralized management capabilities for HPE storage arrays and systems, making it a prime target for sophisticated cyber threats. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2028 specifically affects versions prior to 7.5.1, indicating that the security flaws were present in the platform's core authentication and authorization mechanisms. These vulnerabilities emerged within the broader context of enterprise storage management systems where unauthorized access could result in catastrophic data breaches or operational disruptions. The affected environment typically operates within high-security data center environments where access controls must be meticulously maintained to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical storage configurations.
The technical flaw underlying CVE-2016-2028 manifests through unspecified vectors that enable authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges or access sensitive information within the Matrix Operating Environment. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of authentication bypass mechanisms and information disclosure flaws, allowing attackers who have already established initial access to potentially escalate their privileges or extract confidential data from the storage management platform. The vulnerability differs significantly from CVE-2016-4357, which indicates that multiple distinct security weaknesses exist within the same software ecosystem, suggesting potential design flaws in the platform's security architecture. These unspecified vectors likely involve improper validation of user permissions or inadequate session management that allows attackers to manipulate the system's access controls despite having valid credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to modify critical data within the storage management environment. This modification capability can result in complete system compromise, where unauthorized users can alter storage configurations, manipulate backup systems, or disrupt the integrity of the entire data center infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where storage management systems control mission-critical data flows and where unauthorized modifications could lead to data corruption, service disruptions, or complete system failures. Organizations relying on HPE Matrix Operating Environment for their storage infrastructure face significant risks, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized control over their storage arrays and potentially compromise the integrity of their entire data ecosystem.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigation strategies including prompt deployment of HPE's official security patches and updates to bring the Matrix Operating Environment to version 7.5.1 or later. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be reinforced to limit the scope of potential exploitation, while comprehensive monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities within the storage management environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and may also relate to CWE-200, covering information exposure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, potentially enabling attackers to move laterally within the network infrastructure. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their storage management systems and implement regular vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues within their broader infrastructure ecosystem.