CVE-2018-19957 in QTS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/10/2021
A vulnerability involving insufficient HTTP security headers has been reported to affect QNAP NAS running QTS, QuTS hero, and QuTScloud. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to launch privacy and security attacks. We have already fixed this vulnerability in the following versions: QTS 4.5.4.1715 build 20210630 and later QuTS hero h4.5.4.1771 build 20210825 and later QuTScloud c4.5.6.1755 build 20210809 and later
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19957 represents a critical weakness in QNAP Network Attached Storage systems that operate on QTS, QuTS hero, and QuTScloud operating environments. This security flaw stems from the insufficient implementation of HTTP security headers within the web server responses, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit fundamental web application security controls. The affected systems expose users to various privacy and security risks due to the absence of proper security header configurations that should be implemented to protect against common web-based attacks and data leakage scenarios.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests through the lack of essential HTTP security headers that should be present in web server responses to prevent various attack vectors. These missing headers typically include security-related directives such as Content Security Policy (CSP), X-Content-Type-Options, X-Frame-Options, and Strict-Transport-Security. Without these protective measures, attackers can potentially exploit the system through cross-site scripting attacks, clickjacking attempts, and other web-based vulnerabilities that rely on the absence of proper header-based defenses. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-16, which encompasses architecture and design flaws in security headers, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing attacks that often exploit web application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass significant security risks for organizations relying on QNAP NAS systems for data storage and network services. Remote attackers can leverage the missing security headers to conduct more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data exfiltration, or system compromise. The vulnerability creates an environment where attackers can more easily bypass security controls that would normally be in place to protect against common web application threats, making the affected systems particularly vulnerable to modern attack methodologies that target web application security weaknesses.
Organizations utilizing QNAP systems running the affected versions should immediately implement the recommended patches and updates provided by QNAP to address this vulnerability. The vendor has released fixed versions including QTS 4.5.4.1715 build 20210630 and later, QuTS hero h4.5.4.1771 build 20210825 and later, and QuTScloud c4.5.6.1755 build 20210809 and later. Security administrators should conduct thorough assessments of their QNAP environments to ensure all systems are updated to the patched versions, as failure to address this vulnerability leaves organizations exposed to potential exploitation by threat actors who may specifically target these missing security controls. The implementation of proper HTTP security headers serves as a fundamental defense mechanism that should be maintained across all web-facing applications and services within enterprise environments.