CVE-2017-9553 in DiskStation Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A design flaw in SYNO.API.Encryption in Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) before 6.1.3-15152 allows remote attackers to bypass the encryption protection mechanism via the crafted version parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9553 represents a critical design flaw within Synology DiskStation Manager's API encryption implementation that fundamentally undermines the security assurances provided by the system's cryptographic protections. This weakness exists specifically within the SYNO.API.Encryption component of DSM versions prior to 6.1.3-15152, creating a pathway for remote attackers to circumvent the intended encryption mechanisms that should safeguard data transmission between clients and the Synology storage devices. The flaw manifests through manipulation of the version parameter in API requests, allowing malicious actors to exploit a logical inconsistency in how the system validates encryption requirements and applies security protocols.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper validation logic within the API encryption framework where the system fails to adequately verify the authenticity and integrity of version parameters passed during API communications. When an attacker crafts a specific version parameter value, the system's encryption protection mechanism becomes bypassed, enabling unauthorized access to data that should otherwise be protected through encrypted channels. This design flaw falls under the category of cryptographic weakness and specifically relates to improper implementation of encryption protocols, which aligns with CWE-310 cryptographic issues and potentially CWE-327 weak cryptographic algorithms. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege and proper authentication mechanisms, as the system allows unauthenticated or improperly authenticated requests to proceed without adequate encryption protection.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates significant risk for Synology DSM users as it allows remote attackers to potentially intercept and access sensitive data transmitted through the system's API endpoints. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized administrative access, as the bypassed encryption protection may enable attackers to escalate privileges or gain deeper access to the storage system. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring local access or physical presence, making it particularly dangerous for networked environments where the DSM system is accessible from external networks. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that organizations with internet-facing Synology devices are immediately at risk, potentially allowing threat actors to conduct reconnaissance, data exfiltration, or even system takeover operations. This weakness directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of data stored on affected systems, violating fundamental security principles that should be maintained in enterprise storage solutions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to DSM version 6.1.3-15152 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the encryption bypass mechanism. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to DSM systems, disable unnecessary API access where possible, and ensure that all Synology devices are configured with strong authentication mechanisms including two-factor authentication. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous API requests that may indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security audits should be conducted to verify that encryption protections remain properly enforced. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper cryptographic implementation and the need for comprehensive security testing of authentication and encryption mechanisms within networked storage systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and defense evasion, as attackers can bypass encryption protections to gain unauthorized access to system resources while potentially remaining undetected through normal security monitoring procedures.