CVE-2017-5780 in Matrix Operating Environment
Summary
by MITRE
A remote clickjacking vulnerability in HPE Matrix Operating Environment version v7.6 was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5780 represents a critical remote clickjacking flaw within the HPE Matrix Operating Environment version v7.6, a comprehensive software platform designed for managing and orchestrating enterprise data center infrastructure. This security weakness resides in the web-based administrative interface of the Matrix Operating Environment, which is commonly deployed in large-scale data center environments where centralized management of storage arrays, servers, and networking components is essential. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious clickjacking attacks against authenticated users who interact with the affected system, potentially leading to unauthorized administrative actions and complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this clickjacking vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and inadequate protection mechanisms within the web interface components of the HPE Matrix Operating Environment. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that embed the legitimate Matrix Operating Environment interface within invisible or deceptive frames, tricking authenticated users into performing unintended actions while believing they are interacting with a trusted interface. This flaw specifically affects the administrative functions of the system where sensitive operations such as configuration changes, user management, and system settings modifications can be executed through the web interface. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to implement proper frame-busting techniques or Content Security Policy headers that would prevent the interface from being embedded within external web pages, making it susceptible to overlay attacks where malicious content is positioned to capture user interactions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5780 extends far beyond simple data theft or unauthorized access, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise data center security and operational integrity. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain complete administrative control over the HPE Matrix Operating Environment, enabling them to modify storage configurations, alter user permissions, disable security features, or even compromise the underlying data center infrastructure. This risk is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where the Matrix Operating Environment serves as a critical management platform for mission-critical systems, as unauthorized access could lead to service disruptions, data loss, or complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the network or proximity to the target system, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in cloud or distributed computing environments where network exposure is high.
Organizations utilizing HPE Matrix Operating Environment v7.6 should implement immediate mitigations to address this clickjacking vulnerability, including the deployment of Content Security Policy headers that restrict frame embedding, implementation of X-Frame-Options headers to prevent the interface from being loaded within frames, and regular security assessments of the web interface components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-1021, which specifically addresses inadequate protection against clickjacking attacks, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploitation of web applications through clickjacking methods. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to the Matrix Operating Environment interface, enforce multi-factor authentication for administrative access, and conduct regular security awareness training for personnel who interact with the system. Additionally, organizations should establish monitoring procedures to detect potential clickjacking attempts and maintain up-to-date patches for the HPE Matrix Operating Environment to ensure that the vulnerability is properly addressed through official vendor security releases.