CVE-2016-6648 in RecoverPoint
Summary
by MITRE
EMC RecoverPoint versions before 4.4.1.1 and EMC RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines versions before 5.0 are affected by sensitive information disclosure vulnerability as a result of incorrect permissions set on a sensitive system file. A malicious administrator with configuration privileges may access this sensitive system file and compromise the affected system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6648 represents a critical sensitive information disclosure flaw in EMC RecoverPoint software ecosystems, specifically affecting versions prior to 4.4.1.1 for RecoverPoint and 5.0 for RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines. This vulnerability stems from improper permission settings on a critical system file that contains sensitive operational data. The flaw allows malicious actors with configuration privileges to gain unauthorized access to system files that should remain protected, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on EMC's data protection solutions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions on system resources, and represents a privilege escalation issue within the context of configuration management. The affected system files contain sensitive operational data including but not limited to authentication credentials, system configuration parameters, and potentially operational metadata that could be leveraged to compromise the broader recovery environment. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it requires only configuration privileges rather than elevated administrative rights, making it accessible to insiders with legitimate access who might misuse their privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations using EMC RecoverPoint solutions for data protection and disaster recovery operations. The disclosure of sensitive system files could enable attackers to understand the internal architecture of the recovery environment, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks targeting the backup infrastructure. The compromised system could result in unauthorized data access, configuration tampering, or even complete system compromise if the sensitive information includes authentication tokens or encryption keys. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and undermines the security posture of organizations relying on these recovery solutions.
The attack vector for this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess configuration privileges within the EMC RecoverPoint environment, which typically would be limited to authorized administrators. However, the risk increases significantly in environments where privilege management is inadequate or where insider threats exist. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of legitimate administrative access to gain access to sensitive system resources. Organizations should consider implementing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual configuration file access patterns as part of their defensive strategies.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching to versions 4.4.1.1 or later for RecoverPoint and 5.0 or later for RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines, as provided by EMC. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive access control reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel have configuration privileges, and establish monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized access to sensitive system files. The remediation process should include reviewing and tightening file permissions on system files containing sensitive information, implementing role-based access controls, and conducting regular security audits of the recovery environment. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and additional monitoring controls to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining proper file permissions and access controls in enterprise backup and recovery systems, where the compromise of configuration data can have cascading effects on overall security posture.