CVE-2024-25952 in PowerScale OneFS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2024
Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.2.x through 9.7.0.x contains an UNIX symbolic link (symlink) following vulnerability. A local high privileged attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to denial of service, information tampering.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-25952 affects Dell PowerScale OneFS storage systems running versions 8.2.2.x through 9.7.0.x, representing a critical security flaw in the system's handling of symbolic links. This issue stems from improper validation of symbolic link traversal mechanisms within the storage operating system, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation by attackers with local high privileges. The vulnerability manifests in the way the system processes UNIX symbolic links, which are fundamental filesystem objects used to create references to other files or directories. When these symbolic links are improperly followed or validated, they can be manipulated to cause unexpected behavior within the storage subsystem.
The technical flaw specifically resides in the insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms that govern how symbolic links are processed within the OneFS environment. An attacker with local high privileged access can exploit this weakness by creating or manipulating symbolic links in ways that bypass normal security boundaries. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-367 category of Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) flaws, where the system's validation occurs at a different point in time than the actual execution, allowing for potential manipulation of the symbolic link target. The system's failure to properly validate the integrity and destination of symbolic links during processing creates opportunities for attackers to redirect file operations to unintended locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to include potential information tampering scenarios that could compromise data integrity within the storage environment. A successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to files and directories that should normally be protected, potentially allowing attackers to read sensitive data or modify system files. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability could manifest as system instability, performance degradation, or complete service interruption, particularly when symbolic link traversal leads to infinite loops or resource exhaustion. This affects enterprise storage environments where data availability and integrity are paramount, potentially disrupting critical business operations and data services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-25952 should focus on immediate system updates and configuration hardening measures. Dell has released patches addressing this vulnerability in newer OneFS versions, and organizations should prioritize upgrading to the latest stable releases that contain the necessary fixes. System administrators should implement additional monitoring for unusual symbolic link creation or modification activities, particularly in sensitive directories. The implementation of strict access controls and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools that can detect improper symbolic link usage patterns within their storage environments. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and script interpreter usage and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachment, as attackers might leverage this weakness as part of broader exploitation chains. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in preventing privilege escalation and unauthorized data access within enterprise storage systems.