CVE-2018-11076 in vSphere Data Protection
Summary
by MITRE
Dell EMC Avamar Server versions 7.2.0, 7.2.1, 7.3.0, 7.3.1, 7.4.0 and 7.4.1 and Dell EMC Integrated Data Protection Appliance (IDPA) 2.0 are affected by an information exposure vulnerability. Avamar Java management console's SSL/TLS private key may be leaked in the Avamar Java management client package. The private key could potentially be used by an unauthenticated attacker on the same data-link layer to initiate a MITM attack on management console users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11076 represents a critical information exposure flaw in Dell EMC Avamar Server and Integrated Data Protection Appliance products. This security weakness affects multiple versions including Avamar Server 7.2.0 through 7.4.1 and IDPA 2.0, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on these data protection solutions. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of cryptographic materials within the software distribution package, specifically exposing the SSL/TLS private key that should remain securely isolated from unauthorized access. This exposure occurs during the standard client package distribution process, making it particularly concerning as it affects the fundamental security infrastructure used to protect management console communications.
The technical implementation flaw involves the inclusion of sensitive cryptographic private keys within the Avamar Java management client package, which violates established security best practices for key management and distribution. According to CWE-310, this represents a cryptographic weakness where the system fails to properly protect cryptographic keys, specifically exposing private key material in an accessible location. The vulnerability creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector because an unauthenticated attacker who gains access to the same data-link layer can potentially intercept and utilize the leaked private key to impersonate legitimate management console services. This exposure directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of management communications, as the attacker could decrypt sensitive data transmitted between management clients and the Avamar servers, potentially gaining unauthorized access to system configurations and operational data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of Dell EMC Avamar environments. Organizations using affected versions face risks including unauthorized access to backup management interfaces, potential data exfiltration through compromised management sessions, and the ability of attackers to establish persistent access points within their backup infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by its location on the same data-link layer, meaning attackers do not require complex network positioning or advanced techniques to leverage the exposed key. This makes the attack surface particularly broad and the risk assessment critical for organizations with distributed or networked backup environments, as the compromised management console could provide attackers with extensive control over backup operations and data recovery processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11076 require immediate action including the deployment of official patches provided by Dell EMC, which address the improper key distribution in client packages. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate management console traffic from general network access, reducing the likelihood of attackers reaching the vulnerable data-link layer. The principle of least privilege should be enforced for management console access, ensuring that only authorized personnel can interact with the system and that access controls are properly configured. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in management console communications, particularly those that might indicate man-in-the-middle activity. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all affected systems and verify that patched versions have been properly deployed. According to ATT&CK framework's T1566.001 technique, this vulnerability represents a specific method of credential access through network sniffing and man-in-the-middle attacks, making it critical to implement network security controls such as encrypted communications, proper key management practices, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation of this information exposure vulnerability.