CVE-2017-5783 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-2017-5783 represents a critical remote clickjacking flaw within the HPE Matrix Operating Environment version v7.6, a web-based management interface used for configuring and monitoring HPE storage systems. This vulnerability resides in the web application layer of the Matrix Operating Environment, which provides administrators with a graphical interface for managing storage arrays and related infrastructure components. The clickjacking vulnerability allows remote attackers to deceive users into performing unintended actions within the targeted system by overlaying malicious content over legitimate interface elements. The affected environment typically operates on standard web protocols and utilizes HTTP/HTTPS for communication with management interfaces, making it accessible to attackers who can exploit the vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the storage infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this clickjacking vulnerability stems from insufficient protection mechanisms within the web application's user interface components. Specifically, the Matrix Operating Environment fails to implement proper frame-busting techniques or anti-clickjacking headers that would prevent the application from being embedded within malicious iframes or frames. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that load the legitimate HPE Matrix interface within hidden or transparent iframes positioned over the user's screen, creating a deceptive user experience where legitimate interface elements appear to be interactive but actually perform malicious actions when clicked. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the administrative interface of storage systems, which typically possess elevated privileges and can execute critical operations such as configuration changes, data modifications, or system management functions. This flaw directly relates to CWE-1021, which defines insufficient protection against clickjacking attacks, and represents a significant weakness in the application's security posture that could be exploited by threat actors with minimal technical expertise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation or data theft, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical storage management functions within HPE Matrix environments. Successful exploitation could enable unauthorized users to manipulate storage configurations, alter data access controls, or perform administrative operations that could compromise data integrity and availability. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on HPE storage solutions for their data infrastructure, potentially exposing sensitive corporate data and disrupting critical business operations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to storage arrays, modify storage policies, or even execute destructive operations that could result in data loss or system downtime. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the storage infrastructure or network segments, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations with distributed storage deployments or those that expose management interfaces to external networks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which describes web protocols usage, and represents a significant risk to enterprise storage security.
Organizations affected by CVE-2017-5783 should implement immediate mitigations to protect their storage infrastructure from potential exploitation. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper Content Security Policy headers that include frame-ancestors directives to prevent the application from being embedded in malicious frames. Additionally, organizations should deploy frame-busting JavaScript code to detect and prevent clickjacking attempts by checking if the application is running within an iframe. Network segmentation should be enforced to limit access to the Matrix Operating Environment management interfaces, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access these critical administrative functions. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure. The implementation of multi-factor authentication for administrative access and regular security updates to ensure all systems are running patched versions of the Matrix Operating Environment should also be prioritized. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block clickjacking attempts, and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts to storage management interfaces. These measures align with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 controls related to access control and application security, providing comprehensive protection against this and similar vulnerabilities.