CVE-2017-8944 in Cloud Optimizer
Summary
by MITRE
A Remote Disclosure of Information vulnerability in HPE Cloud Optimizer version v3.0x was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8944 represents a critical remote information disclosure flaw within HPE Cloud Optimizer version v3.0x, classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-200 - Information Exposure. This vulnerability allows unauthorized remote attackers to access sensitive information without authentication, potentially compromising the security posture of cloud infrastructure management systems. The affected HPE Cloud Optimizer platform serves as a centralized solution for monitoring and optimizing cloud resources, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking to gather intelligence about cloud environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access controls within the application's API endpoints and web interfaces. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specially crafted requests to the system, which then reveals configuration details, user credentials, system information, and potentially sensitive data about cloud resources. The flaw exists in the way the application processes user inputs and handles authentication tokens, creating an avenue for information leakage that bypasses normal security mechanisms. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when applications fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing or displaying it, allowing malicious actors to extract unintended information through indirect means.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8944 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked data can enable more sophisticated attacks within the compromised environment. Adversaries who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain insights into cloud infrastructure topology, resource configurations, and operational details that would otherwise remain hidden. This intelligence can be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks, lateral movement within cloud networks, and targeted exploitation of other system components. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery and T1069 - Permission Groups Discovery, as it enables attackers to gather information about system permissions and resource access patterns. Organizations utilizing HPE Cloud Optimizer v3.0x face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to their cloud management systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass immediate patching of the affected HPE Cloud Optimizer version, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to the management interface, and deployment of web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious traffic patterns. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all cloud management systems to identify similar vulnerabilities, implement robust input validation mechanisms, and establish proper access control policies. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patches in staging environments before production deployment, along with monitoring for indicators of compromise that may have occurred during the vulnerability's active period. Additionally, organizations should review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities, as these flaws often serve as precursors to more serious security incidents.