CVE-2017-5670 in RiOS
Summary
by MITRE
Riverbed RiOS through 9.6.0 deletes the secure vault with the rm program (not shred or srm), which makes it easier for physically proximate attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading raw disk blocks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5670 affects Riverbed RiOS versions through 9.6.0 and represents a critical weakness in the system's data sanitization practices. This flaw resides in how the operating system handles the removal of sensitive data from storage devices, specifically when utilizing the standard rm command rather than more secure deletion methods such as shred or srm. The vulnerability creates a significant security risk by failing to properly overwrite data before deletion, leaving sensitive information accessible through direct disk block reading techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the operating system's failure to employ cryptographically secure deletion methods when removing files from the secure vault. When the rm command is executed, it simply removes directory entries and marks the space as available for reuse without overwriting the actual data blocks on the storage medium. This approach leaves the original data intact at the physical storage level, making it recoverable through forensic disk analysis techniques. The flaw is particularly concerning because it affects the secure vault, which typically contains sensitive authentication credentials, encryption keys, and other critical system information that should remain protected even after deletion.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for physically proximate attackers who can directly access the storage devices. Attackers with physical access to the system can exploit this weakness by reading raw disk blocks to recover deleted data that should have been securely removed. This threat model aligns with attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1486 category for data encryption for ransom, though the specific threat here is data recovery rather than encryption. The vulnerability essentially provides attackers with an easy path to information disclosure through physical access, undermining the system's security posture and potentially exposing sensitive enterprise data.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to privileged information. Since the secure vault typically contains authentication tokens, cryptographic keys, and other sensitive materials, successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise and persistent access. This weakness also violates industry security standards including those outlined in the CWE database under CWE-112, which addresses insufficient data sanitization, and CWE-522, which covers insufficiently protected credentials. Organizations using affected Riverbed RiOS versions face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where physical security controls are inadequate or where unauthorized physical access is possible.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to Riverbed RiOS versions that properly implement secure deletion methods, specifically those that utilize shred or srm commands instead of basic rm operations. System administrators should also implement additional physical security controls to limit unauthorized access to storage devices, and consider implementing full disk encryption as an additional protective layer. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify all systems running affected RiOS versions and ensure proper data sanitization procedures are in place. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper secure deletion practices and demonstrates how seemingly simple operational procedures can create significant security weaknesses when not properly implemented according to security best practices and industry standards.