CVE-2017-8960 in MSA 1040
Summary
by MITRE
An Authentication Bypass vulnerability in HPE MSA 1040 and MSA 2040 SAN Storage IN version GL220P008 and earlier was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8960 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting HPE MSA 1040 and MSA 2040 SAN storage systems running firmware version GL220P008 and earlier. This issue resides within the storage array's authentication mechanism, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive storage resources without proper credentials. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of authentication tokens and session management within the storage system's web interface and management protocols. Security researchers discovered that the system fails to properly enforce authentication checks during certain administrative operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass the standard login process and gain access to storage configurations, data, and management functions. This authentication bypass affects both the graphical web interface and command-line management tools, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through multiple attack vectors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of authentication tokens or by leveraging weaknesses in session handling mechanisms that govern access to storage array management functions. Attackers can potentially gain access to sensitive storage configurations, modify storage settings, view confidential data, and perform administrative operations without proper authorization. The flaw specifically impacts the storage array's ability to properly validate user credentials and maintain secure sessions, allowing unauthorized individuals to assume administrative privileges. This vulnerability is classified as a weakness in authentication mechanisms and aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues. The authentication bypass enables attackers to perform operations such as creating new user accounts, modifying existing configurations, accessing stored data, and potentially disrupting storage operations. The impact is particularly severe because storage arrays contain critical enterprise data and serve as foundational infrastructure components for data protection and backup operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8960 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete compromise of storage infrastructure and potential data breaches. Organizations utilizing affected HPE MSA storage systems face significant risks including unauthorized data access, data manipulation, and potential denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects enterprise storage environments where data integrity and access control are paramount, potentially exposing sensitive corporate information to unauthorized parties. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain persistent access to storage resources, enabling long-term surveillance and data exfiltration activities. The flaw also creates opportunities for attackers to disrupt storage operations, modify backup configurations, or introduce malicious configurations that could compromise entire data recovery processes. From an attack methodology perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the bypass to gain administrative access to critical infrastructure. Organizations may experience significant operational disruption and potential regulatory compliance violations when storage systems are compromised through this authentication bypass.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8960 require immediate firmware updates from HPE to address the authentication bypass vulnerability. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to storage management interfaces, restrict administrative access to trusted networks, and deploy additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access attempts. The recommended approach includes applying the latest firmware patches provided by HPE, which address the authentication validation weaknesses. Organizations should also implement strict access controls, enforce multi-factor authentication where possible, and regularly audit storage system access logs to identify suspicious activities. Network-based mitigations include restricting access to storage management ports, implementing firewalls to limit administrative access, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their storage infrastructure, review access control policies, and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to storage management functions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and implementing robust security controls around critical infrastructure components that handle sensitive data operations.