CVE-2018-6434 in Fabric OS
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web management interface of Brocade Fabric OS versions before 8.2.1, 8.1.2f, 8.0.2f, 7.4.2d could allow attackers to intercept or manipulate a user's session ID.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6434 represents a critical session management flaw within the web management interface of Brocade Fabric OS software. This issue affects multiple major versions including those before 8.2.1, 8.1.2f, 8.0.2f, and 7.4.2d, indicating a widespread exposure across the product lifecycle. The flaw resides in the authentication and session handling mechanisms that govern how user sessions are established and maintained through the web interface. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially intercept or manipulate session identifiers, thereby gaining unauthorized access to network management functions and compromising the integrity of the fabric switching environment. The vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the network infrastructure managed through these switches.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate session ID generation and validation processes within the web management interface. Specifically, the system fails to properly randomize or secure session identifiers, making them predictable or susceptible to interception through man-in-the-middle attacks. This weakness allows attackers to either hijack existing user sessions or create forged session tokens that appear legitimate to the system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-384, which addresses session management flaws where applications fail to properly protect session identifiers. Additionally, this weakness facilitates privilege escalation and unauthorized access attacks as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1078 technique for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting. The session manipulation capability enables attackers to perform administrative functions without proper authentication, potentially leading to complete network compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6434 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass significant risks for enterprise network security. Organizations utilizing affected Brocade switches face potential exposure to insider threats, external attackers, and lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The compromised session management directly affects network fabric security, as attackers can manipulate switch configurations, view sensitive network information, and potentially disrupt network operations. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in data center environments where Brocade switches manage critical network traffic and fabric connectivity. The risk is amplified by the fact that many organizations may not regularly audit their network management interfaces, leaving these session management flaws undetected and exploitable for extended periods. The vulnerability also impacts compliance with security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001, which require robust session management controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6434 should prioritize immediate software updates to patched versions of Brocade Fabric OS. Organizations must ensure all affected switches receive the appropriate firmware updates that address the session ID handling vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the web management interface to trusted networks only. Additionally, organizations should deploy network monitoring solutions capable of detecting suspicious session activity and unauthorized access attempts. The implementation of secure remote access protocols such as SSH for management access, combined with multi-factor authentication, provides additional layers of protection. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices and establish monitoring procedures for detecting potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing of network management interfaces help ensure that session management mechanisms remain robust against evolving attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists and firewall rules to restrict access to web management ports, reducing the attack surface for this specific vulnerability.