CVE-2017-8018 in AppSync Host Plug-In
Summary
by MITRE
EMC AppSync host plug-in versions 3.5 and below (Windows platform only) includes a denial of service (DoS) vulnerability that could potentially be exploited by malicious users to compromise the affected system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8018 affects EMC AppSync host plug-in versions 3.5 and earlier, specifically on Windows platforms. This issue represents a denial of service vulnerability that poses significant operational risks to organizations relying on EMC AppSync for their data synchronization and management processes. The affected system architecture includes the Windows-based host plug-in component that facilitates communication between EMC AppSync and various enterprise systems, making it a critical component in data management workflows. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of specific input parameters or processing sequences that lead to system instability and service interruption.
The technical flaw manifests through improper error handling and resource management within the host plug-in's Windows implementation. When malicious users submit specially crafted inputs or exploit specific processing paths, the system fails to properly validate or handle these conditions, resulting in application crashes or complete service unavailability. This behavior aligns with CWE-400, which classifies unchecked resource management as a common vulnerability pattern where systems fail to properly manage resources such as memory, file handles, or processing cycles. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves sending malformed requests or triggering specific code paths that cause the application to enter an unrecoverable state, effectively rendering the synchronization service unavailable to legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire data management infrastructures. Organizations utilizing affected EMC AppSync versions face risks including data synchronization failures, extended downtime for critical business processes, and potential cascading effects on dependent systems that rely on consistent data flow. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to repeatedly cause service interruptions, leading to business continuity issues and potential financial losses. The Windows-specific nature of the vulnerability means that organizations with mixed platform environments may still be at risk if they deploy the affected plugin on Windows servers, while non-Windows environments remain unaffected.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8018 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from EMC, as the vendor has likely released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to affected systems and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched environments to ensure that the vulnerability is fully resolved without introducing new compatibility issues. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious patterns of requests targeting the vulnerable plugin can provide early warning capabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving service stoppage and resource exhaustion, potentially enabling adversaries to achieve persistence through continued exploitation of the denial of service condition. Organizations should also consider implementing redundant synchronization mechanisms and backup procedures to maintain business continuity during remediation activities.