CVE-2016-5047 in OnCommand System Manager
Summary
by MITRE
NetApp OnCommand System Manager 8.3.x before 8.3.2P5 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5047 affects NetApp OnCommand System Manager version 8.3.x prior to 8.3.2P5, representing a significant security flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to execute denial of service attacks against targeted systems. This vulnerability exists within the management interface of NetApp storage systems, specifically impacting the OnCommand System Manager component that administrators use to monitor and manage storage infrastructure. The affected version range indicates that organizations running any iteration below 8.3.2P5 remain at risk, making this a widespread concern for enterprises relying on NetApp storage solutions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from unspecified vectors within the application's processing mechanisms, suggesting potential weaknesses in input validation, resource handling, or session management within the OnCommand System Manager. While the exact technical details remain unspecified in the CVE description, such vulnerabilities typically arise from improper handling of user-supplied data or failure to properly validate and sanitize inputs before processing. The fact that this is a remote authenticated denial of service vulnerability means that attackers need only valid credentials to exploit the flaw, significantly reducing the attack surface and increasing the practical threat level. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to disrupt normal operations by causing system instability, service interruptions, or complete system unavailability.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5047 extends beyond simple service disruption, potentially affecting critical business operations that depend on storage infrastructure availability. Organizations utilizing NetApp storage systems may experience extended downtime during which storage management functions become inaccessible, potentially impacting backup operations, data replication, and overall system monitoring capabilities. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the network, while the authenticated requirement suggests that compromise of legitimate user credentials through phishing, credential theft, or other means could lead to successful exploitation. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where storage management is centralized and where administrators rely heavily on the OnCommand System Manager for routine operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5047 center around immediate patch deployment to upgrade to NetApp OnCommand System Manager 8.3.2P5 or later versions, which contain the necessary fixes to address the underlying vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize this update across their infrastructure, particularly focusing on systems with elevated privileges or those managing critical storage operations. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the OnCommand System Manager interface to only authorized personnel, reducing the attack surface. Additionally, implementing robust credential management practices, including multi-factor authentication and regular credential rotation, can help prevent unauthorized access that could lead to exploitation. Monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual activity patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability, as the attack may generate specific network traffic patterns or system behavior anomalies.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which covers "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption," and potentially CWE-352, "Cross-Site Request Forgery," depending on the specific implementation details. From an ATT&CK perspective, the vulnerability maps to T1499.004, "Endpoint Denial of Service," and may also relate to T1566.001, "Phishing," if the attack vector involves credential compromise. The threat landscape for such vulnerabilities demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that combine multiple security controls to protect against both known and emerging threats in enterprise storage environments.