CVE-2018-7073 in Moonshot Provisioning Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A local arbitrary file modification vulnerability was identified in HPE Moonshot Provisioning Manager prior to v1.24.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2023
The CVE-2018-7073 vulnerability represents a critical local arbitrary file modification flaw discovered in HPE Moonshot Provisioning Manager software versions prior to v1.24. This vulnerability resides within the provisioning manager's file handling mechanisms and presents a significant security risk to organizations utilizing HPE Moonshot infrastructure for server provisioning and management. The issue stems from insufficient validation of file paths and permissions during the provisioning process, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate critical system files.
This vulnerability operates through a privilege escalation mechanism where local attackers can exploit the lack of proper input sanitization to modify arbitrary files on the system. The technical flaw manifests when the provisioning manager processes user-supplied file paths without adequate validation or restriction, allowing attackers to specify paths that point to system-critical files such as configuration files, binaries, or system libraries. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables unauthorized modification of system components through legitimate provisioning interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file modification capabilities, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this flaw to replace critical system executables with malicious versions, modify configuration files to redirect system behavior, or corrupt system files to cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations using HPE Moonshot infrastructure in data center environments where provisioning managers are often run with elevated privileges. This creates a scenario where local attackers with minimal privileges could escalate their access to system-level control.
Organizations should immediately implement several mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves updating all instances of HPE Moonshot Provisioning Manager to version 1.24 or later, which includes proper input validation and path restriction mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should implement principle of least privilege controls, ensuring that provisioning manager processes run with minimal required permissions rather than administrative privileges. Network segmentation and monitoring controls should be deployed to detect unusual file modification activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management programs, particularly for infrastructure management tools that handle critical system functions. Organizations should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to system files that could result from exploitation of this vulnerability.