CVE-2016-6904 in Clustered Data ONTAP
Summary
by MITRE
Versions of VASA Provider for Clustered Data ONTAP prior to 7.0P1 contain a web server that accepts plain text authentication. This could allow an unauthenticated attacker to obtain authentication credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6904 affects VASA Provider for Clustered Data ONTAP versions prior to 7.0P1, representing a critical security flaw in storage management infrastructure. This issue stems from the web server component within the VASA provider implementation that fails to properly enforce authentication mechanisms, creating an avenue for unauthorized access to sensitive system credentials. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication handling process where plain text credentials are accepted, fundamentally undermining the security posture of the storage environment.
The technical flaw manifests in the web server's improper handling of authentication requests, where it accepts and processes plain text authentication credentials without adequate validation or encryption mechanisms. This weakness allows an unauthenticated attacker to potentially intercept or directly submit plain text credentials to gain access to the system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-312, which deals with exposure of sensitive information through cleartext transmission, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.001 for credential access through brute force or credential dumping. The flaw essentially provides attackers with a direct path to obtain valid authentication credentials without requiring prior access or sophisticated attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to critical storage resources. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain administrative access to the Clustered Data ONTAP environment, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system manipulation, or disruption of storage services. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where storage systems contain sensitive corporate data, making this vulnerability a high-priority target for attackers seeking persistent access to organizational infrastructure. The vulnerability also increases the risk of lateral movement within networks, as compromised credentials can be used to access other systems that rely on similar authentication mechanisms.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation measures including upgrading to VASA Provider version 7.0P1 or later, which addresses the plain text authentication issue through proper encryption and authentication mechanisms. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the VASA provider web server, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication should be considered for enhanced protection, though the primary fix requires the vendor-provided update to resolve the core authentication vulnerability. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns or attempts to access the vulnerable web server component, as this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring complex attack techniques or significant resources from the attacker.