CVE-2019-17273 in E-Series SANtricity OS Controller Software
Summary
by MITRE
E-Series SANtricity OS Controller Software version 11.60.0 is susceptible to a vulnerability which allows an attacker to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) in IPv6 environments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17273 affects E-Series SANtricity OS Controller Software version 11.60.0 and represents a significant denial of service weakness that specifically targets IPv6 network environments. This flaw demonstrates the critical importance of network protocol handling in storage controller software, where improper processing of IPv6 traffic can lead to complete system unavailability. The vulnerability resides within the controller software's handling of IPv6 packets, creating a scenario where malicious or malformed IPv6 traffic can trigger system instability and operational disruption. Organizations relying on E-Series storage solutions in IPv6 environments face substantial risk of service interruption and data accessibility issues when this vulnerability is exploited.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and processing within the IPv6 stack of the SANtricity OS controller software. When the system receives specific IPv6 packets or malformed IPv6 traffic, the controller fails to properly handle the packet processing, leading to memory corruption or resource exhaustion that ultimately results in system reboot or complete service termination. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-129, Input Validation, and CWE-399, Resource Management Errors, as it involves improper handling of network input and resource allocation failures. The flaw demonstrates poor error handling mechanisms in the IPv6 protocol stack implementation, where the system does not adequately sanitize or reject malformed IPv6 packets before attempting to process them within the core controller logic.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-17273 extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially disrupt entire storage infrastructure operations, particularly in enterprise environments where E-Series controllers manage critical data workloads. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause cascading failures in storage networks, leading to extended downtime for applications and services that depend on the affected storage systems. The DoS condition affects not just individual controllers but can potentially impact entire storage arrays, as the vulnerability exists within the core controller software that manages multiple storage components. Network administrators face challenges in detecting and mitigating this vulnerability since the attack can be subtle and may not immediately appear as malicious activity, making it difficult to distinguish from legitimate network issues or hardware failures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-17273 should prioritize immediate software updates from the vendor to address the specific IPv6 processing flaw in SANtricity OS Controller Software version 11.60.0. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected controllers to potentially malicious IPv6 traffic while monitoring network protocols for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, Network Denial of Service, and represents a specific implementation weakness that requires both software patching and network monitoring improvements. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed IPv6 traffic patterns and establishing incident response procedures that account for storage controller DoS scenarios. Additionally, organizations should maintain detailed documentation of their storage controller configurations and network environments to facilitate rapid response and recovery in case of exploitation.