CVE-2018-5496 in Data Ontap
Summary
by MITRE
Data ONTAP operating in 7-Mode versions prior to 8.2.5P2 are susceptible to a vulnerability which discloses sensitive information to an unauthorized user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5496 affects Data ONTAP operating in 7-Mode configurations prior to version 8.2.5P2, representing a significant information disclosure flaw that compromises system security. This vulnerability resides within the storage management protocols of NetApp's data ONTAP operating system, specifically impacting legacy 7-Mode implementations that have not been upgraded to the patched versions. The flaw allows unauthorized users to access sensitive system information that should remain restricted to authorized administrative personnel.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper access controls within the 7-Mode storage system's authentication and authorization framework. When the system processes certain requests or queries, it fails to adequately validate user permissions before returning system information. This weakness creates an information exposure scenario where attackers can retrieve data such as user credentials, system configurations, network parameters, and other sensitive operational details without proper authorization. The vulnerability specifically affects the way the system handles privilege levels during information retrieval operations, allowing lower-privileged users or unauthenticated attackers to access data that should be restricted.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5496 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked data can enable more sophisticated attacks and compromise the overall security posture of affected systems. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can gain insights into system architecture, user account structures, and operational configurations that significantly aid in planning further attacks. The information disclosure can facilitate privilege escalation attempts, network reconnaissance, and targeted exploitation of other system weaknesses. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that maintain legacy 7-Mode systems, as these deployments often lack modern security controls and may be more vulnerable to cascading security incidents.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of NetApp's official patches and updates. The recommended solution involves upgrading to Data ONTAP 8.2.5P2 or later versions that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of their 7-Mode deployments to identify any remaining vulnerable systems and implement additional monitoring controls. Security teams should review access control policies and ensure that proper network segmentation is in place to limit potential attack surfaces. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure issues, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1082 for system information discovery, highlighting the reconnaissance aspect of information disclosure vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure system stability and prevent operational disruptions.