CVE-2019-5502 in Data Ontap
Summary
by MITRE
SMB in Data ONTAP operating in 7-Mode versions prior to 8.2.5P3 has weak cryptography which when exploited could lead to information disclosure or addition or modification of data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5502 affects Data ONTAP operating in 7-Mode versions prior to 8.2.5P3 and represents a significant cryptographic weakness within the Server Message Block implementation. This flaw resides in the storage operating system's handling of authentication and data encryption mechanisms, specifically targeting the SMB protocol stack that facilitates file sharing and network communication. The vulnerability stems from the use of outdated cryptographic algorithms and insufficient key lengths that fail to meet modern security standards, creating an exploitable vector for malicious actors to compromise storage environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of SMB authentication processes and data transmission methods. Attackers can leverage the weak cryptographic implementations to intercept, modify, or inject data within SMB sessions, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information stored on the affected systems. The flaw specifically impacts the encryption strength used during SMB communications, allowing for potential man-in-the-middle attacks where adversaries can decrypt transmitted data or inject malicious payloads into network traffic. This weakness is particularly concerning as it affects the fundamental security posture of storage systems that handle critical business data.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5502 extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations. Organizations utilizing affected 7-Mode Data ONTAP versions face risks of unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, which could result in significant business disruption and regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges within storage networks, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Given that many organizations still operate legacy 7-Mode systems, the exploitation of this vulnerability could affect critical infrastructure components that serve as primary data repositories for enterprise operations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate system updates to Data ONTAP 8.2.5P3 or later versions that contain patched cryptographic implementations. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous SMB traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and represents a clear violation of NIST SP 800-57 guidelines regarding cryptographic strength requirements. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and data manipulation, with potential for lateral movement through compromised storage networks. Organizations should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all affected 7-Mode systems and implement comprehensive patch management strategies to remediate the identified cryptographic weaknesses.