CVE-2018-1217 in Avamar Server
Summary
by MITRE
Avamar Installation Manager in Dell EMC Avamar Server 7.3.1, 7.4.1, and 7.5.0, and Dell EMC Integrated Data Protection Appliance 2.0 and 2.1, is affected by a missing access control check vulnerability which could potentially allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to read or change the Local Download Service (LDLS) credentials. The LDLS credentials are used to connect to Dell EMC Online Support. If the LDLS configuration was changed to an invalid configuration, then Avamar Installation Manager may not be able to connect to Dell EMC Online Support web site successfully. The remote unauthenticated attacker can also read and use the credentials to login to Dell EMC Online Support, impersonating the AVI service actions using those credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1217 represents a critical access control flaw within Dell EMC Avamar Server and Integrated Data Protection Appliance implementations. This weakness exists in the Avamar Installation Manager component where insufficient validation mechanisms fail to properly verify authentication status before allowing access to sensitive credential storage areas. The vulnerability affects multiple versions including Avamar Server 7.3.1, 7.4.1, and 7.5.0, along with Integrated Data Protection Appliance versions 2.0 and 2.1, creating widespread exposure across Dell EMC's data protection portfolio. The flaw stems from inadequate access control checks that permit unauthorized remote exploitation without requiring authentication credentials, fundamentally compromising the security model of the affected systems.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to directly access and manipulate the Local Download Service credentials stored within the Avamar Installation Manager. These credentials serve as the authentication mechanism for connecting to Dell EMC Online Support services, making them particularly valuable for attackers seeking persistent access to enterprise backup infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically targets the LDLS configuration parameters that control connectivity to Dell's support services, enabling attackers to both read sensitive credential information and potentially modify the configuration to disrupt legitimate connectivity. This dual capability of credential reading and configuration modification creates a comprehensive attack surface that can significantly impact operational continuity and security posture.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1217 extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential service disruption and unauthorized access to Dell EMC support infrastructure. When attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, they can impersonate legitimate AVI service actions by leveraging the stolen credentials, effectively gaining unauthorized access to Dell EMC Online Support services. This impersonation capability allows attackers to perform actions within the support ecosystem that would normally be restricted to authorized administrators, potentially enabling them to download unauthorized software updates, access support tickets, or manipulate service configurations. The disruption to normal connectivity to Dell EMC Online Support can also prevent legitimate administrators from accessing critical support services required for system maintenance and troubleshooting.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing insufficient access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to access protected resources. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this weakness maps to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1046 Network Service Scanning, as attackers can leverage stolen credentials to establish persistent access and potentially expand their reconnaissance efforts. The remote unauthenticated nature of the exploit also correlates with T1110 Credential Stuffing and T1133 External Remote Services, indicating the broader threat landscape implications. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate Avamar systems, patching affected versions to address the access control flaw, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to the affected services. Additionally, credential rotation procedures should be implemented to ensure that compromised credentials are promptly invalidated and replaced with fresh authentication tokens, reducing the window of opportunity for attackers to leverage stolen information.