CVE-2016-4376 in FOS
Summary
by MITRE
HPE FOS before 7.4.1d and 8.x before 8.0.1 on StoreFabric B switches allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4376 affects HPE Fabric Operating System versions prior to 7.4.1d and 8.x versions before 8.0.1 running on StoreFabric B switches. This represents a sensitive information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to access confidential data without requiring authentication or privileged access. The vulnerability exists within the switch management interfaces and operational protocols that govern how the system handles and processes information requests. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack pathways may exist within the switch firmware, potentially encompassing various network protocols or management interfaces that could be exploited to extract system information. The affected HPE StoreFabric B switches operate within enterprise data center environments where they manage critical network infrastructure for storage area networks and fabric switching operations.
This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure weaknesses that can be classified as CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. The technical implementation flaw likely resides in the switch's authentication and authorization mechanisms or in how the system processes and responds to information queries from remote entities. The affected versions of HPE FOS demonstrate inadequate input validation and output filtering processes that allow attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability may be related to improper access control implementations within the switch's web management interface or command line interface, where insufficient validation of user requests permits unauthorized data retrieval. The lack of specific vector details in the original description indicates that the vulnerability could manifest through multiple attack surfaces including HTTP APIs, SNMP interfaces, or direct protocol interactions with the switch firmware.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4376 extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can provide attackers with valuable intelligence for subsequent attacks within the network environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can obtain sensitive system information such as switch configuration details, user credentials, network topology data, and potentially administrative access credentials. This intelligence gathering capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082, which involves discovery of system information, and T1566, which covers credential harvesting through various attack vectors. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to map network infrastructure, identify potential attack targets, and develop more sophisticated attack strategies against the broader network ecosystem. Organizations using affected HPE switches face increased risk of lateral movement attacks, as the leaked information could reveal network segmentation details, switch identification, and operational parameters that facilitate more targeted exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4376 require immediate implementation of firmware updates to the latest supported versions of HPE FOS, specifically upgrading to version 7.4.1d or 8.0.1. Organizations should also implement network segmentation measures to limit access to switch management interfaces and restrict administrative privileges to trusted network segments. The implementation of network access control lists and firewall rules can help prevent unauthorized remote access to switch management ports and services. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their switch infrastructure to identify any potential exploitation attempts and establish monitoring procedures for detecting unusual access patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing proper network security controls as recommended by NIST guidelines for network device security. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious traffic patterns associated with information disclosure attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation of this vulnerability.