CVE-2026-22054 in Active IQ Config Advisor
Summary
by MITRE • 06/04/2026
Active IQ Config Advisor version 6.7.3 contains hard-coded credentials that could allow an authenticated attacker with low privileges to perform unauthorized AutoSupport operations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2026
Active IQ Config Advisor version 6.7.3 contains a critical security vulnerability involving hard-coded credentials that enables authenticated attackers with minimal privileges to execute unauthorized AutoSupport operations. This flaw represents a significant weakness in the software's authentication and authorization mechanisms, as it allows an attacker who has already established a valid login session to escalate their privileges and perform administrative functions without proper authorization. The vulnerability specifically targets the AutoSupport functionality which is designed to automatically send diagnostic information to NetApp support systems, but the hard-coded credentials bypass normal authentication checks that should prevent unauthorized access to these operations. The presence of hard-coded credentials in production software violates fundamental security principles and creates a persistent backdoor that remains active regardless of user account changes or password updates.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the inclusion of static authentication credentials within the application code or configuration files that are distributed with the software version. These credentials are typically embedded during the development phase and remain unchanged throughout the software lifecycle, making them easily discoverable by attackers who can analyze the application binaries or configuration files. The AutoSupport operations are particularly sensitive because they can transmit diagnostic data, system configurations, and potentially sensitive information to external support systems, making unauthorized access to these functions a serious concern for enterprise environments. This vulnerability type falls under CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software, and represents a direct violation of security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it allows attackers to manipulate system diagnostics and potentially exfiltrate sensitive configuration data through AutoSupport communications. An attacker with low privilege access could use this vulnerability to gather detailed system information, monitor network traffic patterns, or even disable AutoSupport functionality to prevent legitimate system monitoring. The AutoSupport feature typically requires authentication but the hard-coded credentials provide a bypass mechanism that undermines the entire authentication framework. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who have already gained access to the system through other means such as credential theft, weak password attacks, or social engineering, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple attack vectors exist. The persistence of hard-coded credentials across system updates and patches creates a long-term risk that cannot be resolved through simple configuration changes.
Organizations using Active IQ Config Advisor version 6.7.3 should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the latest available version that addresses this credential hardening issue, reviewing and rotating all system credentials, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to AutoSupport functionality. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other instances of hard-coded credentials within their software inventory and implement automated scanning tools to detect such issues in future deployments. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege and implementing proper access controls for system diagnostic functions. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual AutoSupport activity patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, and incident response procedures should be updated to include specific handling for credential-based attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software releases. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper credential management as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's credential access techniques and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls as recommended by ISO 27001 and other industry standards.