CVE-2023-3489 in Fabric OS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/31/2023
The firmwaredownload command on Brocade Fabric OS v9.2.0 could log the FTP/SFTP/SCP server password in clear text in the SupportSave file when performing a downgrade from Fabric OS v9.2.0 to any earlier version of Fabric OS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3489 affects Brocade Fabric OS version 9.2.0 and represents a critical security flaw in the firmware download command functionality. This issue manifests when administrators perform downgrade operations from the newer Fabric OS v9.2.0 version to any previous release, creating a persistent security risk through the improper handling of authentication credentials during the firmware transfer process. The vulnerability falls under the category of credential exposure and configuration management failures, specifically targeting the secure handling of network authentication parameters within the support logging mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs within the firmware download command execution path where the system fails to properly sanitize authentication credentials before logging them to the SupportSave file. When performing downgrade operations through FTP, SFTP, or SCP protocols, the system automatically captures and stores the password in clear text format without any form of encryption or obfuscation. This represents a direct violation of security best practices for credential handling and demonstrates a failure in proper input validation and output sanitization. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-546 issue related to the use of clear text passwords in log files, which directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of administrative credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure to encompass significant risks for enterprise storage network environments. When administrators execute firmware downgrade procedures, they inadvertently create persistent log files containing sensitive authentication information that could be accessed by unauthorized personnel with access to the SupportSave files. This creates a persistent backdoor risk where compromised credentials could be used to access network storage resources, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The vulnerability affects the broader attack surface by providing attackers with legitimate administrative credentials that could be leveraged for lateral movement and persistence within the fabric network. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through log file access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of several security controls to protect against credential exposure. Organizations should implement strict access controls on SupportSave files and ensure that only authorized personnel can access these logs containing sensitive information. The recommended approach includes disabling or restricting the firmware download command logging functionality when performing downgrade operations, or implementing automatic credential sanitization before log file creation. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to storage fabric management interfaces and establish monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access to support files. Additionally, organizations should conduct immediate credential rotation for any accounts that may have been used in downgrade operations, and implement automated log review processes to identify and remediate similar exposure risks. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper credential lifecycle management and highlights the need for comprehensive security auditing of system logging mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other network infrastructure components.