CVE-2018-1216 in Unisphere for VMAX
Summary
by MITRE
A hard-coded password vulnerability was discovered in vApp Manager which is embedded in Dell EMC Unisphere for VMAX, Dell EMC Solutions Enabler, Dell EMC VASA Virtual Appliances, and Dell EMC VMAX Embedded Management (eManagement): Dell EMC Unisphere for VMAX Virtual Appliance versions prior to 8.4.0.18, Dell EMC Solutions Enabler Virtual Appliance versions prior to 8.4.0.21, Dell EMC VASA Virtual Appliance versions prior to 8.4.0.514, and Dell EMC VMAX Embedded Management (eManagement) versions prior to and including 1.4 (Enginuity Release 5977.1125.1125 and earlier). They contain an undocumented default account (smc) with a hard-coded password that may be used with certain web servlets. A remote attacker with the knowledge of the hard-coded password and the message format may use vulnerable servlets to gain unauthorized access to the system. Note: This account cannot be used to log in via the web user interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1216 represents a critical hard-coded credential flaw within Dell EMC's virtualized management appliances, specifically affecting vApp Manager implementations across multiple product lines including Unisphere for VMAX, Solutions Enabler, VASA Virtual Appliances, and VMAX Embedded Management systems. This vulnerability stems from the inclusion of an undocumented default account named 'smc' with a fixed password that remains unchanged across deployments, creating a persistent security risk that persists throughout the appliance lifecycle. The flaw manifests in versions prior to specific release thresholds, with Unisphere for VMAX requiring version 8.4.0.18 or later, Solutions Enabler needing 8.4.0.21 or higher, VASA Virtual Appliances requiring 8.4.0.514 or greater, and eManagement systems needing versions beyond 1.4 (Enginuity Release 5977.1125.1125). The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the presence of a default administrative account that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms, allowing unauthorized access through specific web servlet interfaces. This design flaw directly violates security best practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten 2017 and CWE-798, which categorizes hard-coded passwords as a critical weakness in application security. The vulnerability operates within the context of web application security and authentication mechanisms, where the hardcoded credentials enable attackers to bypass standard authentication procedures and gain access to sensitive system functions through designated servlet endpoints.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate system configurations and potentially escalate privileges through the vulnerable web servlets. The restriction that prevents login via the web user interface but allows access through specific servlet endpoints creates a unique attack vector that requires attackers to possess knowledge of both the hard-coded password and the specific message format required by the vulnerable servlets. This dual requirement significantly reduces the attack surface compared to fully exposed authentication mechanisms, yet still maintains a substantial risk level due to the predictable nature of the credential. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts used for lateral movement and privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute commands, modify system configurations, and potentially gain access to sensitive data within the virtualized environment. The presence of this vulnerability in embedded management systems creates a persistent risk that affects multiple Dell EMC products, with the potential for cascading impacts across interconnected virtualized storage environments. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security hygiene practices in software development, where default credentials are not properly secured or made configurable during deployment phases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-1216 require immediate remediation through software updates to the specified minimum versions for each affected product line, as Dell EMC has released patches addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these management appliances and restrict access to the vulnerable servlet endpoints through firewall rules and access control lists. The implementation of network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be enhanced to detect attempts to access the specific servlet endpoints that facilitate this vulnerability. Security teams should conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all affected appliances across their environments and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. Additional mitigations include disabling unnecessary services and ensuring that default accounts are either removed or have their privileges restricted to minimum required levels. The vulnerability's remediation aligns with NIST SP 800-53 security controls, particularly those related to system and information integrity, and access control management. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar hard-coded credential issues within their infrastructure, as this vulnerability type represents a common pattern in legacy software implementations. The remediation process must be carefully coordinated to avoid service disruptions while ensuring that all affected systems receive the necessary updates. Furthermore, security awareness training should be conducted to educate administrators about the dangers of hard-coded credentials and the importance of proper account management practices in virtualized environments.