CVE-2018-1204 in Isilon OneFS
Summary
by MITRE
Dell EMC Isilon OneFS 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 path traversal vulnerability in the isi_phone_home tool. A malicious compadmin may potentially exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1204 affects Dell EMC Isilon OneFS storage systems and represents a critical path traversal flaw within the isi_phone_home tool component. This vulnerability exists across multiple version ranges 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 series, and version 7.1.1.11. The affected tool isi_phone_home is designed for phone home functionality that allows systems to communicate with Dell EMC support services, but contains improper input validation mechanisms that enable attackers to manipulate file paths. This vulnerability falls under CWE-22 Path Traversal which is classified as a common weakness in software development practices that allows attackers to access files outside of intended directories through manipulation of input parameters. The attack vector specifically targets the compadmin user account which represents a privileged administrative role within the Isilon system, making the exploitation particularly dangerous as it can lead to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious compadmin user leverages the path traversal flaw in the isi_phone_home tool to manipulate file system access patterns. Through careful crafting of input parameters, an attacker can bypass normal file access controls and traverse directories to access sensitive system files, configuration data, or execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that successful exploitation grants root privileges, meaning the attacker gains complete administrative control over the affected system. This allows for unauthorized data access, system modification, complete system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments where Isilon storage systems are deployed. The attack requires an existing account with compadmin privileges, which represents a significant risk in environments where administrative credentials are not properly secured or where privilege escalation attacks have occurred. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how the initial access through the phone home tool can be leveraged for broader system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1204 extends beyond immediate system compromise to encompass potential data breaches, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations. Organizations using affected Isilon versions face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited to access sensitive corporate data stored on the storage arrays, potentially exposing intellectual property, customer information, or financial records. The root privilege escalation capability means that attackers can modify system configurations, install backdoors, or disable security controls, creating persistent access points within the network infrastructure. Storage systems like Isilon are often critical components in enterprise environments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can affect business continuity and data availability. The vulnerability also poses challenges for incident response and forensic analysis since successful exploitation would likely leave minimal traces in standard logging mechanisms, making detection difficult. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of their overall security posture, particularly in environments where privileged accounts may be compromised or where insufficient network segmentation exists between storage systems and production environments. The affected versions represent a substantial portion of Dell EMC Isilon deployments, making this vulnerability widespread across enterprise storage infrastructure and requiring immediate attention from security teams to assess and remediate affected systems.