CVE-2022-45104 in Unisphere for PowerMax vApp
Summary
by MITRE • 02/11/2023
Dell Unisphere for PowerMax vApp, VASA Provider vApp, and Solution Enabler vApp version 9.2.3.x contain a command execution vulnerability. A low privileged remote attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2023
This vulnerability exists within Dell Unisphere for PowerMax vApp, VASA Provider vApp, and Solution Enabler vApp versions 9.2.3.x where a command execution flaw allows unauthorized remote exploitation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application interfaces of these management tools. An attacker with minimal privileges can craft malicious inputs that bypass authentication checks and directly execute system commands on the underlying operating system. This represents a critical security gap that violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor input handling practices. The vulnerability falls under CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, specifically addressing command injection flaws that enable arbitrary code execution. From an operational perspective, this weakness creates a severe risk for storage infrastructure management systems where unauthorized command execution can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only low privilege access, meaning that even users with limited permissions could potentially escalate their access and gain full system control. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The affected Dell vApps are commonly deployed in enterprise storage environments where they serve as critical management interfaces for PowerMax storage arrays, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access to sensitive data infrastructure. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise as successful exploitation can result in complete loss of storage data integrity and availability, potentially affecting business continuity and regulatory compliance requirements.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely involves improper handling of user-supplied parameters within web application endpoints that interface with system commands. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious command sequences through web forms, API calls, or URL parameters that are then processed without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability exists in the web application layer where user inputs are directly passed to system execution functions, creating a direct path for command injection attacks. Security controls that should prevent such scenarios include proper input validation, output encoding, and secure coding practices that ensure user-supplied data cannot influence system command execution. The configuration management of these Dell vApps may also contribute to the vulnerability through default settings that do not adequately restrict command execution capabilities or implement proper access controls. Organizations using these applications face significant risk as the exploitation requires minimal skill and can be automated, making it a preferred target for both skilled and unskilled attackers. The vulnerability demonstrates a lack of defense in depth principles where multiple security controls should have been implemented to prevent command injection attacks. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability directly impacts requirements for information security management systems and could result in regulatory violations under standards such as iso 27001 and pci dss.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of all affected Dell vApp versions to the latest security releases provided by Dell. Organizations must also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these management interfaces to only authorized personnel. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious command injection attempts, disabling unnecessary command execution capabilities, and conducting regular security assessments of management interfaces. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns and unauthorized access attempts. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced where only essential administrative functions are accessible to users. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be performed to identify similar weaknesses in other management interfaces. Network access controls should be configured to restrict access to these management systems from trusted networks only, and multi-factor authentication should be implemented for administrative access. Organizations should also maintain detailed audit logs of all management interface activities and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing command injection attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and regular security updates in preventing exploitation of known weaknesses in enterprise management software. Proper security awareness training for administrators is also critical to prevent social engineering attacks that could lead to privilege escalation and exploitation of this vulnerability.