CVE-2018-1189 in Isilion
Summary
by MITRE
Dell EMC Isilon versions between 8.1.0.0 - 8.1.0.1, 8.0.1.0 - 8.0.1.2, and 8.0.0.0 - 8.0.0.6, versions 7.2.1.x, and version 7.1.1.11 is affected by a cross-site scripting vulnerability in the Antivirus Page within the OneFS web administration interface. A malicious administrator may potentially inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code in the user's browser session in the context of the OneFS website.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1189 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Dell EMC Isilon storage systems that impacts multiple software versions including 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.0.1, 8.0.1.0 through 8.0.1.2, 8.0.0.0 through 8.0.0.6, 7.2.1.x, and 7.1.1.11. This security weakness exists specifically within the Antivirus Page of the OneFS web administration interface, which serves as the primary management portal for Isilon storage clusters. The flaw allows for arbitrary code execution in the context of the authenticated user's browser session, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors who can leverage this vulnerability to compromise system integrity and user sessions.
The technical implementation of this cross-site scripting vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the web interface components responsible for displaying antivirus-related information. When an attacker successfully exploits this flaw, they can inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code that executes within the victim's browser session, effectively operating under the privileges and permissions of the authenticated user. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting conditions where input data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only a malicious administrator to be present within the system, as the vulnerability does not require additional authentication or privilege escalation beyond the initial access point.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1189 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks within the storage environment. An attacker with access to the OneFS web administration interface could potentially establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data from storage clusters, or manipulate antivirus configurations to disable security protections. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers can execute malicious code through web-based interfaces. The implications are particularly severe for enterprise environments where Isilon systems store critical business data, as the compromise of the management interface can lead to complete system takeover and unauthorized access to vast amounts of enterprise storage resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected versions, with Dell EMC releasing security updates specifically addressing the input validation gaps in the Antivirus Page. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the OneFS web administration interface, restrict administrative privileges to only necessary personnel, and deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that all input fields within web interfaces properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering in browser contexts. The remediation process should also include comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and implementation of multi-factor authentication for administrative access to minimize the risk of exploitation. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability scans targeting web interfaces and ensure that all system components maintain current security patches to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.