CVE-2017-15519 in SnapCenter
Summary
by MITRE
Versions of SnapCenter 2.0 through 3.0.1 allow unauthenticated remote attackers to view and modify backup related data via the Plug-in for NAS File Services. All users are urged to move to version 3.0.1 and perform the mitigation steps or upgrade to 4.0 following the product documentation.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15519 represents a critical security flaw in SnapCenter software versions 2.0 through 3.0.1 that affects the Plug-in for NAS File Services component. This issue stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms that allow unauthenticated remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to backup-related data, creating a significant risk for enterprise environments that rely on SnapCenter for data protection and recovery operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the NAS file services plugin, which is designed to manage and protect file-based data across network-attached storage systems, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise backup integrity and data confidentiality.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient authentication and authorization controls, which aligns with CWE-287 - Improper Authentication and CWE-306 - Missing Authentication for Critical Function. The flaw enables attackers to perform both read and write operations on backup data without requiring valid credentials, effectively bypassing the security controls that should protect sensitive backup information. This weakness exists within the communication protocols used by the NAS plugin, where the system fails to properly validate user identity before granting access to backup management functions, allowing malicious actors to exploit this gap remotely from any network location.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to modify backup data which could result in complete data corruption or manipulation of recovery points. This capability undermines the fundamental purpose of backup systems, which is to provide reliable data recovery mechanisms. Organizations using affected SnapCenter versions face significant risks including potential data loss, unauthorized data modification, and the possibility of attackers creating false backup records that could complicate recovery operations. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected software versions, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with network access to the target system, regardless of their authorization status.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including upgrading to SnapCenter version 3.0.1 or higher, which contains the necessary patches to address the authentication bypass issue. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to SnapCenter management interfaces and ensure that only authorized personnel can reach the affected components. The recommended approach involves following official product documentation for proper upgrade procedures and implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing principle of least privilege access controls to prevent unauthorized modification of critical backup infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under T1078 - Valid Accounts and T1486 - Data Encrypted for Impact, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access and potentially manipulate backup data to compromise recovery capabilities.