CVE-2018-6445 in Network Advisor
Summary
by MITRE
A Vulnerability in Brocade Network Advisor versions before 14.0.3 could allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to export the current user database which includes the encrypted (not hashed) password of the systems. The attacker could gain access to the Brocade Network Advisor System after extracting/decrypting the passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6445 represents a critical security flaw in Brocade Network Advisor software versions prior to 14.0.3 that exposes user authentication credentials through an insecure export functionality. This weakness stems from inadequate access controls and improper data handling mechanisms within the network management platform, creating a significant attack surface for remote threat actors. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and affects the authentication system's integrity by allowing unauthorized extraction of user credentials without requiring valid authentication tokens or privileged access. Security researchers have classified this issue as a severe configuration flaw that undermines the fundamental security posture of network infrastructure management systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a specific export function within the Brocade Network Advisor that fails to enforce proper authentication checks before allowing access to the user database. This flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and directly retrieve the complete user credential repository, which contains encrypted passwords rather than hashed values. The encryption method used appears to be reversible or weak enough to allow decryption by attackers who can obtain the exported data. This represents a direct violation of security principle 10 from the OWASP Top 10 2017, which addresses sensitive data exposure, and aligns with CWE-200, which covers information exposure through improper error handling. The vulnerability essentially provides an attacker with a complete user credential database that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to the entire network management system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential network-wide infiltration. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain administrative access to the Brocade Network Advisor system, which typically serves as a central management point for network infrastructure components. This access level allows them to modify network configurations, disable security controls, and potentially pivot to other network segments. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no prior authentication, making it an ideal target for automated exploitation campaigns. According to MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) as attackers can leverage stolen credentials for lateral movement and system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6445 should prioritize immediate software updates to Brocade Network Advisor version 14.0.3 or later, which includes patched authentication controls and improved access restrictions for export functions. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate management systems from production networks and deploy additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive credential audits and enforce password rotation policies for all administrative accounts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper encryption implementation and the need to avoid storing passwords in reversible formats. Additional protective measures include implementing network access controls through firewalls, deploying intrusion detection systems, and establishing privileged access management solutions to limit exposure. Organizations should also consider conducting regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in their network infrastructure management systems and ensure proper patch management processes are in place to prevent future exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.