CVE-2016-8754 in OceanStor 5600
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei OceanStor 5600 V3 V300R003C00 has a hardcoded SSH key vulnerability; the hardcoded keys are used to encrypt communication data and authenticate different nodes of the devices. An attacker may obtain the hardcoded keys and log in to such a device through SSH.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8754 represents a critical security flaw in Huawei OceanStor 5600 V3 storage systems running firmware version V300R003C00. This issue stems from the inclusion of hardcoded Secure Shell (SSH) cryptographic keys within the device firmware, which violates fundamental security principles and creates significant attack surface exposure. The implementation of such static credentials directly contradicts industry best practices for cryptographic key management and authentication mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests through the presence of predetermined, unchangeable SSH keys embedded within the storage array's software components. These hardcoded keys serve dual purposes within the system architecture - they encrypt communication data between storage nodes and authenticate device-to-device interactions. When attackers successfully obtain these hardcoded credentials, they can establish unauthorized SSH sessions with the storage system, effectively bypassing normal authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability operates at the network level and specifically targets the SSH protocol implementation within the Huawei storage infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to gain administrative control over the storage array and potentially compromise the entire data infrastructure it protects. Once authenticated, malicious actors can manipulate storage configurations, access sensitive data, modify storage parameters, and potentially disrupt business operations through data corruption or unauthorized data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of stored information, particularly concerning the authentication and encryption of inter-device communications that are critical for maintaining data security in enterprise environments.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability under CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials in cloud environments, though the principle applies equally to on-premises storage systems. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security engineering practices that violate multiple security standards including NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001, which mandate proper key management and credential handling procedures. Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including firmware updates from Huawei, network segmentation, and monitoring for unauthorized SSH access attempts to prevent exploitation of this hardcoded key vulnerability.
The discovery of this vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and firmware updates in enterprise storage environments. Organizations utilizing Huawei storage systems should conduct comprehensive inventory checks to identify all affected devices and implement immediate remediation measures. The presence of hardcoded keys in production systems represents a fundamental security flaw that requires both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in future deployments.