CVE-2022-31228 in XtremIO
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2022
Dell EMC XtremIO versions prior to X2 6.4.0-22 contain a bruteforce vulnerability. A remote unauthenticated attacker can potentially exploit this vulnerability and gain access to an admin account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-31228 affects Dell EMC XtremIO storage arrays running versions prior to X2 6.4.0-22, representing a critical authentication weakness that exposes administrative accounts to unauthorized access attempts. This bruteforce vulnerability specifically targets the system's authentication mechanism, allowing remote attackers to systematically guess administrative credentials without requiring prior authentication. The flaw exists within the XtremIO platform's login interface and authentication protocols, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors from external networks. The vulnerability's classification as a bruteforce weakness indicates that attackers can leverage automated tools to repeatedly attempt credential combinations until they successfully compromise an administrative account. This represents a significant security risk as administrative access would provide full control over the storage array, including the ability to modify configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially disrupt storage operations. The vulnerability affects the underlying authentication framework of the XtremIO system, which is designed to protect critical storage infrastructure from unauthorized access attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient rate limiting and account lockout mechanisms within the authentication process. Attackers can exploit this weakness by repeatedly submitting login attempts with various credential combinations, potentially bypassing normal security controls that would typically prevent such brute force attempts. The vulnerability does not require any special privileges or prior access to the system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any external network position. The authentication system fails to implement adequate protections against automated credential guessing attacks, which is a fundamental security control that should be present in all enterprise storage solutions. This flaw aligns with CWE-307 - Improper Restriction of Repeated Authentication Attempts, which specifically addresses insufficient protections against brute force attacks. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that XtremIO systems are often deployed in enterprise environments where storage arrays serve as critical infrastructure components, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for organizations relying on these systems for data storage and management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the storage environment and potential data breaches. An attacker who gains administrative access to an XtremIO array could modify storage configurations, create or delete volumes, access sensitive data stored on the system, and potentially disrupt business operations. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or any insider knowledge to attempt exploitation, making it particularly concerning for organizations with publicly accessible storage arrays. Storage arrays often contain highly sensitive information including customer data, financial records, and proprietary business information, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. The vulnerability also creates potential for lateral movement within networks, as compromised administrative credentials could be used to access other systems within the organization's infrastructure. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110 - Brute Force, which specifically addresses credential guessing and brute force attacks. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if data stored on compromised XtremIO arrays is accessed without authorization, particularly in industries with strict data protection requirements such as healthcare, finance, or government sectors.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Dell EMC XtremIO X2 6.4.0-22 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper authentication controls and rate limiting mechanisms. The update process should include thorough testing to ensure compatibility with existing storage environments and applications. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to XtremIO arrays, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication attempts, and configuring account lockout policies that can detect and prevent brute force attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access where possible, though this may require additional infrastructure changes. Network-level protections such as firewalls and access control lists should be configured to restrict access to XtremIO management interfaces to only authorized administrative networks. Regular monitoring of authentication logs for repeated failed login attempts should be established as part of the security operations center procedures. Security teams should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify any other systems that may be vulnerable to similar bruteforce attacks, particularly those with weak authentication controls. The remediation process should include reviewing and updating security policies to address the lessons learned from this vulnerability, ensuring that similar authentication weaknesses are identified and addressed in other systems within the organization's infrastructure.