CVE-2019-4293 in Storwize V7000
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Storwize V7000 Unified (2073) 1.6 configuration may allow an attacker to reveal the server version in default installation, which could be used in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 160699.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4293 affects IBM Storwize V7000 Unified storage systems running version 2073 with firmware 1.6. This issue represents a configuration flaw that exposes sensitive system information through default installation settings, creating potential entry points for malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically allows unauthorized disclosure of the server version, which constitutes a critical information disclosure weakness that can significantly impact overall system security posture. Such exposure of system version information provides attackers with valuable intelligence for crafting targeted attacks against known vulnerabilities specific to that version.
The technical flaw manifests through improper configuration management where default installation settings fail to adequately obscure system version information. This misconfiguration enables remote attackers to obtain version details through standard network reconnaissance techniques, effectively removing the element of surprise that typically protects systems from targeted attacks. The vulnerability resides in the system's default response handling mechanisms that do not properly sanitize or restrict version information disclosure, creating an information leak that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth. This weakness directly maps to CWE-200, which describes information exposure vulnerabilities where systems inadvertently reveal sensitive information to unauthorized parties.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple version disclosure, as it enables attackers to perform more sophisticated reconnaissance activities and potentially identify additional vulnerabilities specific to the exposed version. Attackers can leverage this information to plan targeted exploitation campaigns, potentially combining it with other reconnaissance data to identify patch levels, known exploits, or configuration weaknesses. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to establish baseline knowledge about the target system, which can accelerate subsequent attack phases including privilege escalation, lateral movement, or direct exploitation of other vulnerabilities. This information disclosure can be particularly damaging when combined with other reconnaissance data, as it allows attackers to build comprehensive attack profiles against the system.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper configuration management practices and ensuring that default installations are hardened before deployment. Organizations should modify system configurations to prevent version information disclosure through network responses, implement proper access controls, and establish regular security audits to identify similar misconfigurations. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to system information, while regular firmware updates and security patches should be applied to address known vulnerabilities. The implementation of intrusion detection systems can help identify attempts to probe for version information, and security monitoring should include detection of unusual information disclosure patterns. This vulnerability underscores the importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to reconnaissance and credential access, particularly T1592 for reconnaissance and T1087 for account discovery, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls beyond traditional perimeter defenses.