CVE-2023-27316 in SnapCenter
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
SnapCenter versions 4.8 through 4.9 are susceptible to a vulnerability which may allow an authenticated SnapCenter Server user to become an admin user on a remote system where a SnapCenter plug-in has been installed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-27316 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within SnapCenter software versions 4.8 through 4.9. This issue affects the SnapCenter Server component and specifically targets the authentication and authorization mechanisms that govern user permissions across remote systems where SnapCenter plug-ins are deployed. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access control validation within the SnapCenter architecture, creating a pathway for authenticated users to escalate their privileges and gain administrative access to remote systems. This flaw operates at the intersection of improper privilege management and insufficient input validation, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on SnapCenter for data protection and backup operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user leverages a flaw in the SnapCenter Server's permission handling system to elevate their privileges on remote systems where SnapCenter plug-ins are installed. The vulnerability manifests through a failure in proper authorization checks during remote system interactions, allowing a regular authenticated user to bypass normal access controls and assume administrative privileges. This privilege escalation mechanism operates by manipulating the authentication context or exploiting inconsistencies in how the SnapCenter Server validates user permissions when communicating with remote plug-in instances. The flaw essentially undermines the principle of least privilege by enabling unauthorized privilege elevation without proper verification of user credentials or role assignments.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-27316 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a potential gateway for broader system compromise and data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain complete administrative control over remote systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, system configuration changes, and the ability to install malicious software. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on SnapCenter for backup and recovery operations, as it could enable attackers to manipulate backup processes, access backup data, or even corrupt backup repositories. The risk is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability requires only authentication to the SnapCenter Server, meaning that an attacker who has obtained valid credentials could exploit this flaw without additional authentication requirements.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates for SnapCenter versions 4.8 through 4.9, which address the privilege escalation flaw through enhanced authentication validation and proper access control enforcement. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the blast radius of potential exploitation, ensuring that SnapCenter Server communications are restricted to authorized systems only. Regular monitoring of system logs for unusual administrative activities and privilege escalation attempts should be implemented as part of the security operations center procedures. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough privilege reviews to ensure that only necessary users have access to SnapCenter Server functionality, and implement multi-factor authentication where possible to add additional layers of security. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting the execution and persistence phases where attackers seek to establish more stable access to compromised systems.