CVE-2018-15784 in Networking OS10
Summary
by MITRE
Dell Networking OS10 versions prior to 10.4.3.0 contain a vulnerability in the Phone Home feature which does not properly validate the server's certificate authority during TLS handshake. Use of an invalid or malicious certificate could potentially allow an attacker to spoof a trusted entity by using a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15784 affects Dell Networking OS10 software versions prior to 10.4.3.0 and resides within the Phone Home feature implementation. This critical flaw stems from inadequate certificate authority validation during the Transport Layer Security handshake process, creating a significant security weakness that undermines the integrity of the communication channel. The Phone Home functionality is designed to enable network devices to report system information and status updates to Dell's support infrastructure, making it an essential component for device management and monitoring. However, the improper certificate validation mechanism renders this feature susceptible to exploitation by malicious actors who can manipulate the TLS communication without proper authentication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in certificate chain validation that aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in TLS implementations. During the TLS handshake process, the affected Dell Networking OS10 devices fail to properly verify the certificate authority that issued the server certificate, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the device. This weakness enables attackers to execute man-in-the-middle attacks where they can intercept, modify, or redirect communications between the network device and Dell's support servers. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate validation logic that should ensure the authenticity of the server being connected to, creating a trust relationship that can be easily compromised through certificate forgery or manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple communication interception, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of Dell Networking OS10 devices deployed in enterprise environments. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information, manipulate device configurations, or establish persistent backdoor access points within the network infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe for network administrators who rely on the Phone Home feature for device monitoring and support communications, as the compromised device may unknowingly transmit confidential data to attacker-controlled servers. This vulnerability also enables attackers to perform advanced persistent threat operations by maintaining long-term access to network devices while evading detection mechanisms that rely on secure communication channels.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1041 technique for Exfiltration Over C2 Channel and T1566 for Phishing with Malicious Attachment, as the compromised communication channel can facilitate data exfiltration and further attack propagation. Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to Dell Networking OS10 version 10.4.3.0 or later, which contains the patched certificate validation logic. Network segmentation and monitoring of Phone Home communication patterns should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling the Phone Home feature entirely if it is not required for operational support purposes, as this eliminates the attack surface associated with the vulnerable TLS implementation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure all network devices are running patched firmware versions and that proper certificate management practices are maintained throughout the network infrastructure.