CVE-2024-5461 in Fabric OS
Summary
by MITRE • 02/15/2025
Implementation of the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) operating on the Brocade 6547 (FC5022) embedded switch blade, makes internal script calls to system.sh from within the SNMP binary. An authenticated attacker could perform command or parameter injection on SNMP operations that are only enabled on the Brocade 6547 (FC5022) embedded switch. This injection could allow the authenticated attacker to issue commands as Root.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5461 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Simple Network Management Protocol implementation of the Brocade 6547 (FC5022) embedded switch blade. This device operates as a fiber channel switch within data center environments, serving as a crucial component for storage area network communications and requiring robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access and privilege escalation. The vulnerability specifically manifests in how the SNMP binary handles internal script execution through calls to system.sh, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by authenticated malicious actors.
The technical implementation flaw stems from improper input validation within the SNMP service of the Brocade switch, where user-supplied parameters are directly passed to system.sh without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. This design decision creates a classic command injection vulnerability that falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in commands. The flaw exists in the operational context where SNMP operations are enabled on the device, making them accessible to authenticated users who can manipulate input parameters to execute arbitrary commands with the highest privilege level available to the system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows an attacker to escalate privileges to root level execution, effectively granting complete control over the switch's operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of the entire storage network infrastructure. An authenticated attacker who gains access to the switch through legitimate means can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands as root, potentially leading to complete network compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical storage services. The attack vector requires only authentication to the SNMP service, which is often enabled by default in enterprise environments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in production networks where SNMP access may be improperly restricted. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, representing a significant threat to network security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-5461 should prioritize immediate implementation of network segmentation and access control measures to restrict SNMP access to only trusted administrative workstations. Organizations should disable SNMP services on the affected device if they are not actively required for network management operations, as recommended by NIST guidelines for network security controls. The most effective remediation involves applying the vendor-provided security patch that addresses the command injection vulnerability by implementing proper input validation and parameter sanitization within the SNMP binary. Additionally, network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous SNMP traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, and establish comprehensive network access controls through firewall rules that restrict SNMP communication to authorized management stations only. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar implementation flaws in other network infrastructure components, ensuring adherence to security frameworks such as ISO 27001 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework standards.