CVE-2022-33183 in Fabric OS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2022
A vulnerability in Brocade Fabric OS CLI before Brocade Fabric OS v9.1.0, 9.0.1e, 8.2.3c, 8.2.0cbn5, 7.4.2.j could allow a remote authenticated attacker to perform stack buffer overflow using in “firmwaredownload” and “diagshow” commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-33183 represents a critical stack buffer overflow flaw within the Brocade Fabric OS command-line interface that affects multiple versions of the fabric operating system. This vulnerability specifically manifests in the "firmwaredownload" and "diagshow" commands, which are commonly used administrative functions within storage area network environments. The flaw exists in the input validation mechanisms of these commands, where insufficient bounds checking allows maliciously crafted input to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently identified as a primary attack vector in cybersecurity incidents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on Brocade Fabric OS for their storage infrastructure management. An authenticated attacker who can establish a connection to the fabric switch and execute commands through the CLI interface can exploit this vulnerability to potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The remote authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker does not need physical access to the device but can leverage existing administrative credentials to compromise the system. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate system tools to execute malicious code. The exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to gain administrative control over the fabric switch, potentially affecting thousands of connected storage devices and disrupting critical business operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to authenticate to the system using valid credentials and then issue carefully crafted commands through the CLI interface. The buffer overflow occurs when the system processes input parameters for the "firmwaredownload" and "diagshow" commands without proper validation of input length or content. This creates a scenario where an attacker can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical stack variables, potentially enabling code execution. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions including v9.1.0, 9.0.1e, 8.2.3c, 8.2.0cbn5, and 7.4.2.j indicates that this was a widespread issue affecting the entire product lineage, suggesting a fundamental flaw in the input handling architecture rather than a localized bug. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through official firmware updates provided by Brocade, as well as implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit potential exploitation paths. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in network infrastructure devices, particularly those handling administrative functions that are accessible over network connections.