CVE-2017-7947 in Clustered Data ONTAP
Summary
by MITRE
NetApp Clustered Data ONTAP before 8.3.2P11, 9.0 before P4, and 9.1 before P5 allow attackers to obtain sensitive password information by leveraging logging of passwords entered non-interactively on the command line.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7947 represents a critical security flaw in NetApp Clustered Data ONTAP systems that affects multiple versions including 8.3.2P10 and earlier, 9.0 P3 and earlier, and 9.1 P4 and earlier. This issue stems from improper handling of password logging mechanisms within the command-line interface, creating a significant exposure risk for systems utilizing automated or non-interactive command execution. The flaw specifically manifests when passwords are entered through command-line parameters rather than interactive prompts, leading to their inadvertent inclusion in system logs and audit trails. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper logging practices and directly relates to CWE-211, which addresses the improper handling of sensitive information in log files, and CWE-532, which covers information exposure through log files. The attack vector leverages the fact that when administrators or automated processes execute commands containing password parameters, these credentials become visible in log files that may be accessible to unauthorized users or systems with appropriate permissions. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it creates potential for privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments where NetApp systems are deployed. Attackers who gain access to these log files can extract passwords and use them to authenticate to various system components, potentially gaining unauthorized access to storage resources, administrative interfaces, and underlying network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where automated scripts and batch processing are common practices, as these scenarios typically involve non-interactive command execution with embedded password parameters. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 for valid accounts and T1003 for credential dumping, as it provides attackers with legitimate credential information through system logging mechanisms. The risk is compounded by the fact that many organizations maintain extensive logging infrastructure and audit trails that may not be adequately secured or monitored for sensitive information exposure. The technical implementation of this flaw suggests that the system's logging subsystem does not properly sanitize command-line arguments before recording them to persistent storage, creating a situation where any password parameter passed through the command line becomes permanently visible in system logs. This behavior violates fundamental security principles regarding credential handling and demonstrates a lack of proper input validation and sanitization in the logging component of the data ONTAP system. Organizations utilizing affected versions of NetApp Clustered Data ONTAP should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the patched versions 8.3.2P11, 9.0 P4, and 9.1 P5, which contain the necessary fixes to prevent password logging. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive log file audits to identify and remove any previously exposed credentials, implement stricter log file access controls, and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access to sensitive log data. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security controls in automated systems and underscores the need for organizations to regularly update their infrastructure components to address known security flaws. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as credential rotation, enhanced access controls for log files, and regular security assessments of their automated processes to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.