CVE-2022-28170 in Fabric OS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2022
Brocade Fabric OS Web Application services before Brocade Fabric v9.1.0, v9.0.1e, v8.2.3c, v7.4.2j store server and user passwords in the debug statements. This could allow a local user to extract the passwords from a debug file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2026
This vulnerability exists in Brocade Fabric OS Web Application services across multiple versions including v9.1.0, v9.0.1e, v8.2.3c, and v7.4.2j where sensitive authentication credentials are inadvertently logged in debug output files. The flaw represents a classic security misconfiguration issue where system administrators and developers fail to properly sanitize sensitive data before writing it to diagnostic logs. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-546 category of suspicious comments or debug code containing sensitive information, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1562.001 which covers "TTPs: Disable or Modify Tools" through the exposure of credential information that could be leveraged by attackers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core fabric operating system that manages storage area networks, making it a critical component in enterprise data infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the web application services within Brocade Fabric OS failing to properly filter or redact authentication credentials during debug logging operations. When the system generates debug output for troubleshooting purposes, it includes server and user passwords in plaintext format within the log files, making these sensitive credentials easily accessible to any local user with read access to the debug directories. This represents a fundamental failure in secure coding practices where sensitive data handling is not properly implemented during development phases. The debug logging functionality, while intended for system administrators to diagnose issues, becomes a security risk when it inadvertently exposes authentication information to unauthorized local access. This vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation vector since it requires only local system access to read the debug files containing the credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations utilizing Brocade Fabric OS in their storage infrastructure. A local attacker with access to the system can immediately extract authentication credentials for servers and user accounts, potentially enabling lateral movement within the network and access to critical storage resources. The exposure of these credentials could lead to unauthorized access to storage arrays, data breaches, and disruption of storage services. Organizations using affected versions of Brocade Fabric OS face the risk of credential compromise that could extend beyond the local system to affect the entire storage network infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly impacts enterprise environments where storage area networks require robust authentication mechanisms to protect sensitive data assets and where the exposure of credentials could result in substantial financial and operational damage.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest available versions of Brocade Fabric OS where the vulnerability has been patched, disabling unnecessary debug logging functionality, and implementing proper log access controls. System administrators should review debug file permissions and ensure that sensitive information is not stored in accessible locations. The recommended approach involves configuring the system to either disable debug logging entirely or to implement proper credential sanitization before any logging occurs. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of their storage network infrastructure to identify any other potential credential exposure vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include regular monitoring of log files for sensitive information and implementing automated tools to detect and prevent credential exposure in system diagnostics. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and proper information sanitization during system development phases to prevent such exposure issues from occurring in production environments.