CVE-2023-4335 in RAID Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 08/15/2023
Broadcom RAID Controller Web server (nginx) is serving private server-side files without any authentication on Linux
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4335 represents a critical security flaw in Broadcom RAID Controller Web servers running nginx on Linux systems. This issue stems from improper access control mechanisms within the web server implementation, allowing unauthorized users to access sensitive server-side files that should remain protected. The flaw specifically affects Broadcom's RAID controller management interfaces that utilize nginx as their web server component, creating a significant attack surface that could expose confidential system information and operational details to malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the absence of proper authentication checks within the nginx configuration for the RAID controller's web interface. When users access the management web portal, the server fails to verify credentials or implement appropriate access controls before serving private files. This misconfiguration results in a direct information disclosure vulnerability where attackers can retrieve sensitive data including configuration files, system logs, and potentially administrative credentials without requiring valid authentication. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard web browser access to the controller's management interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-4335 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed files may contain critical system information that could aid attackers in planning further attacks. These private server-side files could include system configuration details, user credentials, network topology information, or other sensitive data that would normally be restricted to authorized administrators only. The vulnerability affects organizations using Broadcom RAID controllers in enterprise environments where these controllers are often deployed in critical infrastructure components, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to gain deeper insights into network operations and system configurations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the Broadcom RAID controller firmware, configuring proper authentication mechanisms for the nginx web server, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces. Security professionals should also conduct thorough network scans to identify all affected systems and ensure that administrative interfaces are not directly accessible from untrusted networks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in security design, as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through information gathering, where adversaries exploit weak access controls to obtain sensitive information that can be used for subsequent attack phases.