CVE-2024-0165 in Unity
Summary
by MITRE • 02/12/2024
Dell Unity, versions prior to 5.4, contains an OS Command Injection Vulnerability in its svc_acldb_dump utility. An authenticated attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to execution of arbitrary operating system commands with root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2024
The CVE-2024-0165 vulnerability represents a critical operating system command injection flaw within Dell Unity storage arrays, specifically affecting versions prior to 5.4. This vulnerability resides in the svc_acldb_dump utility, which serves as a component for managing access control lists within the storage system. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing it within the operating system context. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can manipulate the utility's command execution flow by injecting malicious commands through improperly validated parameters, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution at the highest privilege level available within the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software systems. This weakness occurs when an application constructs operating system commands using externally provided data without adequate sanitization or validation. The svc_acldb_dump utility appears to directly incorporate user input into system command execution contexts, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as executable commands rather than mere data. This design flaw enables an authenticated threat actor to leverage the utility's legitimate functionality to execute unauthorized system operations, bypassing normal access controls and privilege boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0165 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise and potential data exfiltration. An authenticated attacker with access to the storage array management interfaces can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges, effectively gaining full administrative control over the affected Dell Unity storage arrays. This level of access enables attackers to manipulate storage configurations, access sensitive data stored on the arrays, modify access controls, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the storage infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where storage arrays serve as critical infrastructure components for data management and business continuity.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution. Attackers can leverage the command injection capability to execute system commands directly through the affected utility, potentially using techniques such as shell command injection or direct OS command execution. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure, while also ensuring proper patch management protocols are in place. The vulnerability's authentication requirement provides some defense-in-depth benefits, but the potential for privilege escalation to root level makes it particularly dangerous. Security teams should monitor for suspicious command execution patterns and implement proper input validation controls across all system utilities handling user-provided data. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for similar command injection patterns within storage management utilities to prevent analogous issues from emerging in other system components.