CVE-2017-4987 in VNX1
Summary
by MITRE
In EMC VNX2 versions prior to OE for File 8.1.9.211 and VNX1 versions prior to OE for File 7.1.80.8, a local authenticated user can load a maliciously crafted file in the search path which may potentially allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted VNX Control Station system, aka an uncontrolled search path vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-4987 represents a critical uncontrolled search path flaw affecting EMC VNX2 and VNX1 storage systems running specific firmware versions. This issue resides in the file handling mechanisms of the VNX Control Station system, where the software fails to properly validate or sanitize file paths during processing operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems running EMC VNX2 versions prior to OE for File 8.1.9.211 and VNX1 versions prior to OE for File 7.1.80.8, making them susceptible to privilege escalation attacks by authenticated local users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user with access to the system can manipulate or place a maliciously crafted file within a directory that the VNX Control Station application searches during normal operations. This uncontrolled search path behavior allows the attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, as the system will load and execute the malicious file from the search path instead of the intended legitimate file. The vulnerability stems from the system's failure to properly validate file paths and their contents before execution, creating a classic path traversal and code injection vector that aligns with CWE-427 and CWE-428 weakness categories.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise storage infrastructure security. The local authenticated user can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities on the control station, potentially compromising the entire storage system. The attack requires only local system access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised accounts with legitimate access. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical storage services. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) categories.
The recommended mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate firmware upgrades to the patched versions mentioned in the CVE description, specifically OE for File 8.1.9.211 for VNX2 systems and OE for File 7.1.80.8 for VNX1 systems. Organizations should also implement strict file access controls and monitoring on VNX Control Station systems, particularly focusing on directories that are part of the application search paths. Additional defensive measures include regular security assessments of storage infrastructure, implementation of file integrity monitoring solutions, and network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary services and reducing the attack surface of the control station environment to minimize potential impact from such vulnerabilities.