CVE-2023-5808 in HNAS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/05/2023
Information disclosure in SMU in Hitachi Vantara HNAS 14.8.7825.01 on Windows allows authenticated users to download sensitive files via Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5808 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Storage Management Unit (SMU) component of Hitachi Vantara HNAS 14.8.7825.01 running on Windows platforms. This issue arises from an insecure direct object reference vulnerability that enables authenticated users to access sensitive files that should normally be restricted to authorized personnel only. The flaw exists within the storage management interface where object references are not properly validated, allowing malicious actors with legitimate credentials to manipulate object identifiers and gain unauthorized access to confidential data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the SMU module. When authenticated users make requests to the storage management interface, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has legitimate authorization to access the specific object or file being referenced. This weakness falls under CWE-284 which specifically addresses inadequate access control mechanisms, and more broadly aligns with CWE-639 which covers authorization bypass through weak object references. The vulnerability allows attackers to construct malicious requests that reference objects outside their intended scope, effectively bypassing normal access controls that should restrict file access based on user privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates potential pathways for further compromise within the storage environment. An authenticated attacker could potentially access system configuration files, user credentials, backup data, or other sensitive information that could be leveraged for additional attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise storage environments where HNAS appliances often serve as critical infrastructure components storing sensitive corporate data, customer information, and proprietary assets. This type of information disclosure can lead to compliance violations under regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, and pci dss, while also providing attackers with valuable intelligence for subsequent phases of an attack lifecycle.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1078 legitimate credentials and T1566 credential stuffing, as it allows for privilege escalation through legitimate authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability also supports T1567 credential access through the unauthorized retrieval of sensitive files that may contain authentication tokens, system keys, or other credential-related information. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface that includes potential lateral movement opportunities and data exfiltration capabilities. The impact is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects a storage management component, which often requires elevated privileges and has access to the most sensitive data within the storage infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access control validation and input sanitization within the SMU module. Organizations should immediately apply vendor patches when available and implement network segmentation to limit access to storage management interfaces. Additional protective measures include implementing role-based access controls that strictly enforce the principle of least privilege, regular monitoring of access logs for suspicious object reference patterns, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious IDOR attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments of storage management interfaces and proper code reviews to identify similar insecure direct object reference patterns throughout the application codebase. Organizations should also consider implementing automated tools to detect and prevent object reference manipulation attempts, as well as establishing incident response procedures specifically tailored to storage infrastructure security incidents that may involve information disclosure vulnerabilities.