CVE-2018-12296 in NAS OS
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient access control in /api/external/7.0/system.System.get_infos in Seagate NAS OS version 4.3.15.1 allows attackers to obtain information about the NAS without authentication via empty POST requests.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12296 represents a critical access control flaw within Seagate NAS OS version 4.3.15.1 that exposes sensitive system information through an improperly secured API endpoint. This issue resides in the /api/external/7.0/system.System.get_infos interface which should require proper authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to system metadata and configuration details. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to validate authentication credentials before processing requests to this particular API endpoint, allowing any remote attacker to retrieve comprehensive system information simply by submitting empty POST requests without providing valid credentials.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a classic insufficient authorization vulnerability where the system assumes that all requests to the specified endpoint are legitimate and automatically processes them without verifying user identity or privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-285 which specifically addresses insufficient authorization issues in software systems. The API endpoint in question appears to have been designed with a security model that fails to properly enforce access controls, creating an attack surface where unauthorized parties can gather intelligence about the network attached storage device including system configuration details, firmware versions, and potentially other sensitive operational parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within a network environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gather detailed information about the NAS device including its configuration settings, installed software versions, and system capabilities which could then be used to plan subsequent attacks or identify additional vulnerabilities. This information disclosure can facilitate further exploitation attempts through techniques such as credential harvesting, service enumeration, or targeted attacks against known vulnerabilities in specific firmware versions. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal effort to exploit, making it attractive to automated scanning tools and opportunistic attackers who can quickly identify and gather intelligence from vulnerable devices.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a potential indicator of broader security weaknesses within the NAS device's architecture and recommend immediate remediation measures. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these API endpoints, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous API access patterns, and ensure that all devices are updated to the latest firmware versions that address this specific vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the information gathering phase where adversaries collect system information to support their operations, making it a critical target for defensive measures. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication enforcement in web services, particularly those exposed to untrusted networks where the risk of unauthorized access is significantly elevated.