CVE-2018-8916 in DiskStation Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Unverified password change vulnerability in Change Password in Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) before 6.2-23739 allows remote authenticated users to reset password without verification.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8916 represents a critical authentication flaw within Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) versions prior to 6.2-23739. This issue affects the password change functionality of the DSM web interface, which is widely used for network-attached storage management across enterprise and home environments. The vulnerability stems from insufficient verification mechanisms during the password reset process, creating a significant security risk for systems relying on Synology NAS devices for data storage and network management.
The technical flaw manifests in the password change implementation where the system fails to properly validate user credentials or verify the identity of the requesting user during the password modification process. Specifically, authenticated users can exploit this weakness to reset passwords for other accounts without proper verification steps typically required for such sensitive operations. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the existing authentication context to bypass normal security controls that should prevent unauthorized password modifications. The flaw aligns with CWE-305 authentication bypass vulnerability where the system does not adequately verify the identity of the user attempting to perform privileged operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential compromise, as it enables attackers with minimal privileges to escalate their access within the network infrastructure. An authenticated attacker could potentially reset administrator passwords, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, or establish persistent access points within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where Synology DSM serves as a central storage management solution, as it undermines the fundamental security model of the system. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not need physical access to the device or network, making the attack surface significantly larger than typical local privilege escalation vulnerabilities.
Organizations utilizing affected Synology DSM versions face substantial risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches when this vulnerability remains unpatched. The security implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where NAS systems often contain critical business data and serve as network access points for multiple users and services. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to establish persistent access within the network, potentially leading to lateral movement and further compromise of connected systems. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability operates in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the credential access and privilege escalation tactics, where attackers can leverage weak authentication controls to gain unauthorized access to system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8916 primarily involve immediate deployment of the patched DSM version 6.2-23739 or later, which addresses the verification gap in the password change process. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring of authentication events and password change activities within their DSM environments to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the blast radius of potential exploitation, while security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all Synology devices within their infrastructure to identify and remediate affected systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of DSM versions to prevent similar issues from remaining undetected in the environment.