CVE-2018-15429 in HyperFlex HX Data Platform
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based UI of Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to access sensitive information on an affected system. The vulnerability is due to a lack of proper input and authorization of HTTP requests. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a malicious HTTP request to the web-based UI of an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access files that may contain sensitive data.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15429 represents a critical security flaw within the Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform Software ecosystem. This issue specifically targets the web-based user interface component of the platform, creating an avenue for unauthorized access to sensitive system information. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the HTTP request processing pipeline, fundamentally undermining the platform's security posture and exposing organizations to potential data breaches.
This weakness manifests through insufficient input sanitization and authorization controls within the web interface's request handling mechanisms. The flaw allows an unauthenticated attacker to craft and transmit malicious HTTP requests directly to the affected system's web-based UI without requiring valid credentials or proper authentication. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the platform's web services that handle user requests and system responses. The absence of proper request validation means that attackers can bypass standard access controls and directly access protected resources through crafted HTTP requests that exploit the platform's insufficient authorization checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to files containing potentially sensitive data that could include system configurations, user credentials, or proprietary information. Organizations utilizing Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform software face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where the platform handles confidential data or serves as a critical component of enterprise infrastructure. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter, eliminating the need for physical access or internal network presence. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations with limited network segmentation or monitoring capabilities.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and reflects patterns commonly associated with weak authentication mechanisms in web applications. From an adversary perspective, this flaw maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers can use this vulnerability to gather information about the target system. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to limit access to the affected platform, deployment of web application firewalls to monitor and filter HTTP requests, and implementation of strict access controls. Additionally, regular security assessments and monitoring of web interface activities should be conducted to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of robust input validation and proper authorization controls in web-based applications, particularly in enterprise data platforms where unauthorized access could result in significant operational and financial consequences.