CVE-2024-0168 in Unity
Summary
by MITRE • 02/12/2024
Dell Unity, versions prior to 5.4, contains a Command Injection Vulnerability in svc_oscheck utility. An authenticated attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to the ability to inject arbitrary operating system commands. This vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to execute commands with root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0168 affects Dell Unity storage systems running versions prior to 5.4 and represents a critical command injection flaw within the svc_oscheck utility. This utility is designed to perform operating system checks and diagnostics on the storage array, but it fails to properly sanitize user inputs before executing system commands. The flaw exists in the way the utility processes command-line arguments, creating an environment where malicious input can be interpreted and executed as legitimate operating system commands. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection weaknesses in software applications. The attack vector requires an authenticated user context, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to the system before exploiting this vulnerability. However, the severity is compounded by the fact that successful exploitation grants the attacker root privileges, providing complete control over the underlying operating system and all its resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest level of system permissions. An authenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to gain complete system compromise, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system modification, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The svc_oscheck utility typically operates with elevated privileges to perform its diagnostic functions, and the command injection flaw allows an attacker to bypass normal access controls and execute commands that would normally be restricted. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of system commands through legitimate system tools. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where storage arrays serve as critical infrastructure components, as compromise of these systems can lead to widespread data availability issues and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Organizations running Dell Unity systems prior to version 5.4 should prioritize immediate remediation through the official Dell software update process. The vulnerability requires no special conditions beyond valid authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user access controls are not properly enforced. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to storage management interfaces and enforce strict access control policies for all administrative accounts. Additional mitigations include monitoring for unusual command execution patterns in system logs and implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper sanitization of user-supplied data in system utilities that execute operating system commands. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege concepts for administrative accounts and regularly review access permissions to storage management interfaces. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other system components that may present similar command injection risks.