CVE-2018-13291 in DiskStation Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Information exposure vulnerability in /usr/syno/etc/mount.conf in Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) before 6.2.1-23824 allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information via the world readable configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13291 represents a critical information exposure flaw within Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) systems. This weakness specifically affects the /usr/syno/etc/mount.conf configuration file which contains sensitive mount point information and related filesystem parameters. The vulnerability exists in DSM versions prior to 6.2.1-23824 and allows remote authenticated attackers to access this sensitive data through a simple world-readable configuration file. The mount.conf file typically contains detailed information about mounted volumes, filesystem types, and mount options that could provide attackers with valuable insights into the system's storage architecture and potentially reveal paths to additional attack vectors.
This information exposure vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes the improper exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The flaw demonstrates a classic privilege escalation path where authenticated users can access configuration files that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The world-readable nature of the mount.conf file means that any authenticated user, regardless of their specific permissions, can retrieve the contents of this sensitive configuration file. This exposure creates a significant risk for attackers who may use the gathered information to plan more sophisticated attacks against the system's storage infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it provides attackers with detailed insights into the underlying filesystem structure and mount points. The mount.conf file typically contains information about network attached storage (NAS) volumes, including their locations, filesystem types, and mount parameters that could be leveraged to identify potential weaknesses in the storage configuration. Attackers could use this information to craft targeted attacks against specific mount points or to identify misconfigurations in the storage setup that might lead to further exploitation opportunities. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users have authenticated access to the DSM system, as any authenticated user could potentially exploit this flaw.
The security implications of this vulnerability are compounded by the fact that it affects a core system configuration file that is integral to the DSM's operation. The mount.conf file contains information that could be used in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges or gain deeper access to the system's storage resources. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation through information discovery. The ability to read sensitive configuration files without proper authorization represents a fundamental breakdown in the system's access controls and could enable attackers to move laterally within the network by understanding the storage infrastructure and identifying potential targets for further exploitation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to DSM version 6.2.1-23824 or later, ensuring proper file permissions are enforced, and conducting thorough security audits of their storage configurations to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system information.