CVE-2020-5370 in OpenManage Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2021
Dell EMC OpenManage Enterprise (OME) versions prior to 3.4 contain an arbitrary file overwrite vulnerability. A remote authenticated malicious user with high privileges could potentially exploit this vulnerability to overwrite arbitrary files via directory traversal sequences using a crafted tar file to inject malicious RPMs which may cause a denial of service or perform unauthorized actions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2021
The CVE-2020-5370 vulnerability represents a critical arbitrary file overwrite flaw in Dell EMC OpenManage Enterprise software versions prior to 3.4. This vulnerability exists within the software's handling of tar file extraction processes and specifically targets the directory traversal mechanism that allows attackers to manipulate file paths during RPM package installation. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it requires only high-privileged authenticated access, making it exploitable by insiders or compromised accounts with elevated privileges. The vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal attacks as a fundamental weakness in input validation and path handling. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1489 for service stop, as successful exploitation could lead to denial of service conditions or unauthorized system modifications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a malicious tar file that contains directory traversal sequences designed to overwrite critical system files or inject malicious RPM packages into the target system. When OME processes these specially crafted tar files during RPM installation, the directory traversal mechanism fails to properly validate file paths, allowing the attacker to write files to arbitrary locations on the system. This flaw particularly affects the software's package management functionality where it extracts RPM packages to install updates or new components. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and inadequate path sanitization in the file extraction routines, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass normal file system access controls. The exploitation process typically requires an authenticated session with high privileges, which makes this vulnerability more difficult to exploit remotely but still poses significant risk in environments where privilege escalation or account compromise is possible.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-5370 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized administrative actions. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to overwrite critical system binaries, configuration files, or system libraries, potentially leading to complete system takeover or persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of the OpenManage Enterprise management platform, which is crucial for Dell EMC infrastructure monitoring and management. Organizations using affected versions may experience service disruption, data corruption, or unauthorized access to their managed devices. The attack vector through RPM package injection means that exploitation could occur during routine update processes or software installation procedures, making detection more challenging. This vulnerability impacts organizations that rely on Dell EMC's infrastructure management capabilities, potentially affecting hundreds or thousands of managed devices across enterprise networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-5370 should focus on immediate software updates to version 3.4 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and privilege management to limit the number of accounts with high privileges that could potentially exploit this vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring of file transfer activities can help detect suspicious tar file processing or RPM installation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any unauthorized modifications to system files that may have occurred during exploitation attempts. Regular patch management processes should be enhanced to ensure rapid deployment of security updates across all managed systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in enterprise management software, particularly in components that handle file extraction and package management operations. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring controls around system file integrity and access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched versions to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed without introducing regressions in system functionality.