CVE-2016-6495 in Data Ontap
Summary
by MITRE
NetApp Data ONTAP before 8.2.4P5, when operating in 7-Mode, allows remote attackers to obtain information about the volumes configured for HTTP access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6495 affects NetApp Data ONTAP systems operating in 7-Mode configuration, presenting a significant information disclosure risk that can be exploited by remote attackers without authentication. This flaw exists in versions prior to 8.2.4P5 and specifically impacts the HTTP access controls implemented within the storage system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access control mechanisms that fail to properly restrict volume information exposure to unauthorized users. Attackers can leverage this weakness to enumerate volumes that are configured for HTTP access, potentially gaining insights into the storage infrastructure's configuration and data organization patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the HTTP server component of the Data ONTAP system failing to properly validate access requests when retrieving volume information. When remote attackers send specific HTTP requests to the system, they can obtain detailed listings of volumes that have been configured for HTTP access, including volume names, sizes, and potentially other metadata associated with these storage entities. This information disclosure occurs because the system does not adequately enforce the principle of least privilege when serving HTTP requests related to volume configuration data. The flaw essentially allows unauthorized users to bypass normal access controls that should restrict volume information to authorized administrators only.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be used to plan more sophisticated attacks against the storage infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains visibility into which volumes are accessible via HTTP, potentially identifying sensitive data stores or systems with weaker security controls. This information can be particularly valuable in targeted attacks where attackers seek to identify high-value targets within the storage environment. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the CWE-200 category, which addresses information exposure issues, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to reconnaissance and credential access through information gathering activities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the vendor-provided patch to Data ONTAP version 8.2.4P5 or later. System administrators should also conduct thorough inventory reviews to identify all affected systems and ensure that HTTP access controls are properly configured across all storage volumes. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit exposure of storage systems to untrusted networks. Additionally, security monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in storage systems and highlights the need for regular security assessments of enterprise storage infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.