CVE-2022-23232 in StorageGRID
Summary
by MITRE • 03/04/2022
StorageGRID (formerly StorageGRID Webscale) versions prior to 11.6.0 are susceptible to a vulnerability which when successfully exploited could allow disabled, expired, or locked external user accounts to access S3 data to which they previously had access. StorageGRID 11.6.0 obtains the user account status from Active Directory or Azure and will block S3 access for disabled user accounts during the subsequent background synchronization. User accounts that are expired or locked for Active Directory or Azure, or user accounts that are disabled, expired, or locked in identity sources other than Active Directory or Azure must be manually removed from group memberships or have their S3 keys manually removed from Tenant Manager in all versions of StorageGRID (formerly StorageGRID Webscale).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-23232 affects StorageGRID Webscale systems prior to version 11.6.0, presenting a significant security risk related to user account management and access control. This weakness stems from inadequate synchronization mechanisms between the StorageGRID system and external identity providers, specifically Active Directory and Azure environments. The flaw creates a persistent security gap where user accounts that should be inactive due to expiration, lockout, or disablement can continue to access S3 data previously granted to them, effectively bypassing intended access controls.
The technical nature of this vulnerability resides in the system's failure to properly validate user account status during authentication processes. StorageGRID versions before 11.6.0 rely on background synchronization to update user account statuses from external identity sources, but this process does not immediately block access for disabled accounts. This creates a temporal window where compromised or terminated user accounts can maintain unauthorized data access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects accounts managed through identity providers other than Active Directory or Azure, where manual intervention is required to remove access privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and could lead to unauthorized data access, potential data breaches, and compliance violations. The risk is amplified by the fact that administrators must manually manage account removal from group memberships or S3 key revocation, creating opportunities for human error or oversight. The affected systems may continue to grant access to accounts that should have been deactivated, potentially allowing malicious actors to exploit terminated accounts or legitimate users whose access has been revoked but not properly synchronized.
The security implications extend beyond immediate data access concerns to encompass broader identity and access management weaknesses within the StorageGRID environment. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and reflects issues commonly addressed by ATT&CK technique T1078, which covers valid accounts for maintaining access. Organizations using affected StorageGRID versions face increased risk of insider threats, unauthorized data exfiltration, and potential regulatory violations due to inadequate account lifecycle management. The manual nature of account cleanup in affected versions creates additional operational overhead and increases the likelihood of security incidents.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to StorageGRID version 11.6.0 or later, which implements proper account status synchronization with Active Directory and Azure environments. This upgrade ensures that disabled, expired, or locked accounts are automatically blocked from S3 access during background synchronization processes. Organizations should also implement automated monitoring procedures to identify and manually remove affected accounts from group memberships or S3 keys in systems prior to the upgrade. Regular audits of user account status and access permissions should be conducted to minimize the window of vulnerability, while maintaining strict access control policies and account lifecycle management procedures.