CVE-2017-8011 in ViPR SRM
Summary
by MITRE
EMC ViPR SRM, EMC Storage M&R, EMC VNX M&R, EMC M&R for SAS Solution Packs (EMC ViPR SRM prior to 4.1, EMC Storage M&R prior to 4.1, EMC VNX M&R all versions, EMC M&R (Watch4Net) for SAS Solution Packs all versions) contain undocumented accounts with default passwords for Webservice Gateway and RMI JMX components. A remote attacker with the knowledge of the default password may potentially use these accounts to run arbitrary web service and remote procedure calls on the affected system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8011 affects multiple EMC management and monitoring solutions including ViPR SRM, Storage M&R, VNX M&R, and SAS Solution Packs. This security flaw represents a critical configuration issue that stems from the inclusion of undocumented administrative accounts with hard-coded default passwords within the affected software components. The vulnerability impacts systems running versions prior to 4.1 for ViPR SRM and Storage M&R, while all versions of VNX M&R and SAS Solution Packs are affected. These default accounts are specifically configured for Webservice Gateway and RMI JMX components, which are essential for system management and remote administration functions. The presence of these default credentials creates a significant attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring any specialized knowledge or tools beyond basic reconnaissance.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software systems. The flaw exists in the form of undocumented administrative accounts that are enabled by default during system installation, with predictable password values that are widely known within the security community. These accounts provide access to both web service interfaces and remote procedure call mechanisms through the RMI JMX protocol, which are fundamental components for system monitoring, configuration management, and remote administration. The Webservice Gateway accounts allow attackers to execute arbitrary web service operations, while the RMI JMX components provide access to Java Management Extensions that can be leveraged to perform remote code execution and system manipulation. This dual access vector significantly amplifies the potential impact of exploitation, as attackers can leverage these credentials to gain comprehensive control over the affected systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching across enterprise environments that utilize these EMC management solutions. Remote attackers who discover these default credentials can potentially execute arbitrary code, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and establish persistent access to monitored storage environments. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on these management solutions for critical infrastructure monitoring, as it provides an unauthenticated attack path that can be exploited from anywhere on the network. The default nature of these accounts means that they are often overlooked during security assessments and configuration reviews, making them particularly dangerous as they can remain undetected for extended periods. Additionally, the scope of potential damage extends beyond individual system compromise, as these management interfaces often provide access to broader storage networks and can be used as stepping stones for further lateral movement within enterprise environments.
Organizations affected by CVE-2017-8011 should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation approach involves disabling or removing the default accounts from affected systems, which should be performed through official software update procedures or manual configuration changes. System administrators must also implement strong access control measures including network segmentation, firewall rules, and mandatory access controls to limit exposure of these management interfaces. The implementation of network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to these specific service endpoints. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected software within their environments and ensure that default passwords are changed immediately upon system deployment. According to ATT&CK framework category T1078, which addresses Valid Accounts, this vulnerability represents a persistent threat that can be exploited through legitimate administrative access paths, making it essential for organizations to implement robust account management policies and continuous monitoring procedures. The remediation process should also include regular security training for system administrators to ensure they understand the importance of securing default accounts and implementing proper configuration management practices to prevent similar issues in the future.