CVE-2016-7172 in Snap Creator Framework
Summary
by MITRE
NetApp Snap Creator Framework before 4.3.1 discloses sensitive information which could be viewed by an unauthorized user.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7172 affects the NetApp Snap Creator Framework version 4.3.1 and earlier, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that compromises system security. This issue stems from insufficient access controls and improper privilege management within the framework's architecture, allowing unauthorized users to gain visibility into sensitive operational data that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only. The Snap Creator Framework serves as a critical component for managing snapshots and backup operations in NetApp storage environments, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on these systems for data protection and recovery.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the framework's failure to properly authenticate and authorize user requests when accessing sensitive configuration files, credential stores, and operational parameters. Attackers can exploit this weakness to retrieve information such as administrative passwords, connection strings, backup schedules, and other system configuration details that would normally be protected by proper access controls. This type of information disclosure vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor pathway through which malicious users can bypass normal authentication mechanisms and access critical system metadata that should remain confidential.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7172 extends beyond simple information exposure, as the leaked data can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains valuable intelligence about the storage environment, including backup strategies, system configurations, and administrative credentials that could facilitate lateral movement and privilege escalation attacks. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1552 (Unsecured Credentials), as the disclosure allows adversaries to gather information about system resources and extract sensitive authentication data. Organizations may experience cascading security failures when this information is used to compromise additional systems within their network perimeter.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Snap Creator Framework to version 4.3.1 or later, which addresses the underlying access control issues through enhanced authentication mechanisms and proper privilege separation. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls including mandatory access controls, regular audit logging of framework access attempts, and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other systems that might be exposed to similar information disclosure risks and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system data. The remediation process should include credential rotation for any systems that may have been compromised through this vulnerability, ensuring that the exposure does not result in long-term security implications for the affected environments.