CVE-2026-22052 in ONTAP
Summary
by MITRE • 03/05/2026
ONTAP versions 9.12.1 and higher with S3 NAS buckets are susceptible to an information disclosure vulnerability. Successful exploit could allow an authenticated attacker to view a listing of the contents in a directory for which they lack permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2026
This vulnerability exists within ONTAP storage systems running versions 9.12.1 and higher that implement S3 NAS buckets. The flaw represents a critical authorization bypass issue that undermines the fundamental security model of the storage platform. The vulnerability specifically affects the directory listing functionality within S3-compatible storage buckets, where authenticated users can potentially enumerate contents of directories they should not have access to based on their assigned permissions.
The technical root cause stems from inadequate access control validation during directory enumeration operations within the S3 API implementation. When an authenticated user attempts to list objects within an S3 bucket, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses sufficient privileges to access the specific directory structure being queried. This weakness allows malicious actors to exploit the system's permission checking mechanisms and gain unauthorized visibility into directory contents that should be restricted. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires authentication credentials to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by insiders or compromised accounts.
The operational impact of this information disclosure vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to map the storage infrastructure's directory structure and identify potentially sensitive data locations. This reconnaissance capability can significantly aid in planning more sophisticated attacks, as adversaries can identify high-value targets within the storage environment. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on ONTAP's S3 NAS functionality for cloud storage integration, potentially exposing proprietary data, customer information, or internal system artifacts that should remain hidden from unauthorized access attempts. Organizations with strict compliance requirements may face regulatory violations when such unauthorized directory enumeration occurs.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application from NetApp to address the underlying access control implementation. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect anomalous directory listing activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and least-privilege access controls should be enforced to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues and maps to ATT&CK technique T1083 Directory Listing, highlighting the reconnaissance phase of adversary behavior. System administrators should conduct thorough access control reviews and implement proper logging of S3 API operations to detect unauthorized enumeration attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools that can identify and alert on improper directory access patterns within their storage environments.