CVE-2022-29084 in Unity
Summary
by MITRE • 06/03/2022
Dell Unity, Dell UnityVSA, and Dell Unity XT versions before 5.2.0.0.5.173 do not restrict excessive authentication attempts in Unisphere GUI. A remote unauthenticated attacker may potentially exploit this vulnerability to brute-force passwords and gain access to the system as the victim. Account takeover is possible if weak passwords are used by users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2022
This vulnerability affects Dell Unity storage arrays including Unity, UnityVSA, and Unity XT systems running firmware versions prior to 5.2.0.0.5.173. The flaw resides in the Unisphere graphical user interface authentication mechanism which fails to implement adequate rate limiting or account lockout controls for failed authentication attempts. This represents a critical weakness in the system's access control implementation that directly violates security best practices and industry standards. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-305 Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel, as it allows unauthorized access through brute force methods that circumvent normal authentication procedures. From an operational perspective, this weakness creates a significant attack surface where remote adversaries can systematically test password combinations without triggering protective mechanisms that would normally prevent such exhaustive attempts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables a remote unauthenticated attacker to conduct brute force password attacks against the Unisphere management interface. The lack of authentication attempt restrictions means that attackers can rapidly cycle through potential username and password combinations without encountering account lockout mechanisms or temporary access restrictions. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 Brute Force: Password Guessing, where adversaries leverage automated tools to systematically guess credentials. The impact is particularly severe when users employ weak passwords or default credentials, as these are often easily discovered through dictionary attacks or common password lists. The vulnerability essentially removes the primary defense mechanism that would normally prevent automated credential guessing attacks from succeeding.
The operational implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential system compromise and data exposure. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system takeover where attackers gain administrative privileges to modify storage configurations, access sensitive data, or manipulate storage resources. Organizations using affected Dell Unity systems face significant risk of unauthorized data access, potential data exfiltration, and disruption of storage services. The vulnerability affects the core management interface of storage systems, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking persistent access to enterprise storage infrastructures. Security controls that should normally prevent such attacks are effectively bypassed, leaving systems vulnerable to both automated and manual credential guessing attempts. This weakness particularly impacts organizations with poor password hygiene or those that rely on default credentials, as these conditions significantly reduce the effective security posture of the affected systems.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates to version 5.2.0.0.5.173 or later, which implements proper authentication attempt restrictions and account lockout mechanisms. Organizations should also enforce strong password policies requiring complex credentials, implement multi-factor authentication where possible, and monitor authentication logs for suspicious activity patterns. Network segmentation and access controls should limit exposure of management interfaces to trusted networks only. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and ensure proper patch management processes are in place. Regular security audits should verify that authentication controls are properly configured and that account lockout mechanisms are functioning as intended. The remediation process should also include user education on password security and the importance of avoiding weak or default credentials that could be easily compromised through brute force attacks.