CVE-2023-36627 in FlashBlade Purity
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
A flaw exists in FlashBlade Purity whereby a user with access to an administrative account on a FlashBlade that is configured with timezone-dependent snapshot schedules can configure a timezone to prevent the schedule from functioning properly.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-36627 resides within the FlashBlade Purity operating system implementation, specifically affecting storage systems that utilize timezone-dependent snapshot scheduling mechanisms. This flaw represents a critical configuration issue that undermines the reliability and integrity of automated data protection workflows within enterprise storage environments. The vulnerability manifests when administrative users configure snapshot schedules that depend on specific timezone settings, creating a scenario where improper timezone configuration can lead to complete failure of scheduled snapshot operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and handling of timezone parameters within the FlashBlade Purity scheduling subsystem. When administrators configure snapshot schedules with timezone-dependent parameters, the system fails to properly validate the timezone settings against the underlying system clock and scheduling mechanisms. This validation gap allows for timezone configurations that either conflict with system time settings or create impossible scheduling scenarios that prevent the snapshot scheduler from executing properly. The flaw essentially creates a condition where valid timezone identifiers can result in operational failures of the snapshot scheduling functionality.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to data protection and business continuity operations within organizations relying on FlashBlade storage systems. When snapshot schedules fail due to timezone misconfiguration, organizations face potential data loss exposure, as automated backup operations cease to function according to planned schedules. The impact extends beyond simple operational inconvenience to potential regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments governed by data protection regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, or soc 2 requirements. Organizations may experience extended recovery time objectives due to failed backup operations, potentially leading to service disruption and financial losses.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-691, which addresses insufficient control of a resource through a mechanism that allows an attacker or authorized user to manipulate system resources in unintended ways. It also maps to ATT&CK technique T1484.001, which involves modifying system processes to maintain persistence and ensure continued operation of malicious activities. While this vulnerability primarily affects legitimate administrative users, it could potentially be exploited by malicious actors who gain administrative access to compromise backup operations and data availability. The flaw represents a configuration management weakness that could be leveraged to create denial-of-service conditions within critical storage infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including comprehensive review and validation of all timezone-dependent snapshot schedules across their FlashBlade environments. System administrators must verify that all configured timezones are properly synchronized with system time settings and that no conflicting timezone parameters exist within the scheduling configuration. Regular monitoring of snapshot schedule execution status should be implemented to detect and alert on failed scheduling operations. Additionally, organizations should establish standardized procedures for timezone configuration management and implement automated validation checks for snapshot schedule configurations. The vendor should provide updated firmware releases that address the timezone handling logic and include enhanced validation mechanisms to prevent improper timezone configurations from causing scheduling failures.