CVE-2024-39723 in Storage Virtualize
Summary
by MITRE • 07/08/2024
IBM FlashSystem 5300 USB ports may be usable even if the port has been disabled by the administrator. A user with physical access to the system could use the USB port to cause loss of access to data. IBM X-Force ID: 295935.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2024
This vulnerability affects IBM FlashSystem 5300 storage systems where physical USB ports can remain functional even when explicitly disabled by administrative configuration. The flaw represents a critical security oversight in the system's physical access controls, as it allows unauthorized users to bypass administrative decisions regarding USB port restrictions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate enforcement of port disablement policies at the hardware or firmware level, creating a persistent attack vector that persists regardless of administrative configuration changes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a failure in the system's USB port management mechanisms. When administrators disable USB ports through standard configuration interfaces, the underlying firmware or hardware control logic does not properly enforce these restrictions. This creates a scenario where physical access to the system enables exploitation through USB interfaces, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious code, extract data, or disrupt system operations. The flaw operates at the intersection of physical security and access control mechanisms, where administrative decisions are not effectively translated into hardware-level enforcement.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly undermines data security and system integrity. An attacker with physical access can leverage the persistent USB functionality to gain unauthorized access to stored data, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or complete loss of access to the storage system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates outside normal security boundaries and can be exploited without network connectivity or traditional authentication mechanisms. This represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where physical access should not automatically grant unrestricted system functionality regardless of administrative controls.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 and CWE-284 categories, specifically addressing weaknesses in URL redirection and improper access control mechanisms. It also maps to ATT&CK techniques such as T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1078.004 (Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts) when considering potential exploitation paths through USB-based attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including physical security measures, enhanced monitoring of USB port usage, and verification of administrative configurations. The recommended approach involves ensuring that USB port disablement policies are properly enforced at the firmware level, implementing additional physical security controls, and conducting thorough audits of system access controls to prevent unauthorized exploitation.
Additional security measures should include regular firmware updates from IBM, implementation of hardware-based security features, and enhanced monitoring of system logs for unauthorized USB access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing that includes physical access scenarios and proper enforcement of administrative controls. Organizations must also consider the broader implications for their security posture, as this flaw could enable attackers to bypass multiple layers of security controls that rely on proper access restriction enforcement.