CVE-2018-15772 in RecoverPoint
Summary
by MITRE
Dell EMC RecoverPoint versions prior to 5.1.2.1 and RecoverPoint for VMs versions prior to 5.2.0.2 contain an uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability. A malicious boxmgmt user may potentially be able to consume large amount of CPU bandwidth to make the system slow or to determine the existence of any system file via Boxmgmt CLI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15772 affects Dell EMC RecoverPoint and RecoverPoint for VMs software versions prior to specific patches, representing a critical uncontrolled resource consumption flaw that can severely impact system performance and availability. This weakness allows malicious actors with boxmgmt user privileges to exploit the system by consuming excessive CPU bandwidth, potentially leading to denial of service conditions that render the platform unusable for legitimate operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the boxmgmt command-line interface, which serves as a critical administrative tool for managing RecoverPoint environments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to disrupt business continuity operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate resource management within the boxmgmt CLI functionality, where malicious users can leverage specific commands to initiate resource-intensive processes that consume disproportionate amounts of system CPU cycles. This flaw enables attackers to perform both performance degradation attacks that slow system operations and reconnaissance activities that can determine the existence of system files through careful observation of resource consumption patterns. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple performance degradation as it provides attackers with information disclosure capabilities, allowing them to map system file structures and potentially identify sensitive components within the RecoverPoint environment.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on Dell EMC RecoverPoint for critical data protection and disaster recovery operations. The ability to consume large amounts of CPU bandwidth can effectively render the system unavailable to legitimate users while the file existence determination capability provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance information that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The boxmgmt user privilege level suggests that this vulnerability could be exploited by insiders or through compromised accounts, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses many traditional perimeter security controls. Organizations using affected versions face potential business disruption, data protection gaps, and increased risk of additional compromise if proper mitigation measures are not implemented.
Security professionals should implement immediate patch management procedures to upgrade to Dell EMC RecoverPoint versions 5.1.2.1 and RecoverPoint for VMs versions 5.2.0.2 or later, as these releases contain the necessary fixes for the resource consumption vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit boxmgmt CLI access to only authorized administrative users, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual CPU consumption patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which addresses uncontrolled resource consumption, and represents a potential vector for ATT&CK technique T1499, specifically the "Endpoint Denial of Service" tactic. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions to reduce the attack surface and ensure that administrative privileges are strictly controlled and monitored for any suspicious activities.