CVE-2023-39250 in Storage Integration Tools for VMware
Summary
by MITRE • 08/16/2023
Dell Storage Integration Tools for VMware (DSITV) 06.01.00.016 contain an information disclosure vulnerability. A local low-privileged malicious user could potentially exploit this vulnerability to retrieve an encryption key that could aid in further attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-39250 affects Dell Storage Integration Tools for VMware version 06.01.00.016, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that compromises system security through improper access control mechanisms. This vulnerability resides within the storage integration framework that facilitates communication between VMware virtualized environments and Dell storage systems, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors operating with minimal privileges. The flaw allows a local user with low privilege access to extract sensitive encryption keys that are typically protected by robust security controls, thereby undermining the confidentiality assurances provided by the storage encryption mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege separation and insufficient access validation within the DSITV software components. When the tool processes storage configuration requests or performs encryption operations, it fails to properly validate the privileges of the requesting user account, allowing unauthorized access to cryptographic key material. This issue manifests as a failure to enforce proper access controls at the application level, where sensitive key information is exposed through improper file permissions, insecure API endpoints, or flawed authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the encryption key storage and retrieval processes that are fundamental to protecting data at rest within virtualized storage environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a pathway for more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially decrypt storage volumes, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the storage infrastructure. This weakness particularly affects organizations using Dell storage solutions in VMware environments, where the integration tools are commonly deployed to manage storage provisioning and encryption. The local privilege requirement means that attackers need to first gain access to a low-privileged user account within the system, but once achieved, they can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their access and compromise the entire storage infrastructure.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068 privilege escalation method where adversaries leverage application-level flaws to gain elevated access. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches, reviewing access controls for the DSITV components, and conducting privilege audits to identify any accounts that may be vulnerable to exploitation. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to storage management interfaces and encryption key locations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in storage management tools, where a single flaw can compromise the entire data protection architecture of virtualized environments.