CVE-2018-1216
📋 TL;DR
A hard-coded password vulnerability in Dell EMC storage management products allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access using undocumented default credentials. Affected systems include Dell EMC Unisphere for VMAX, Solutions Enabler, VASA Virtual Appliances, and VMAX Embedded Management with specific vulnerable versions. The vulnerability bypasses normal authentication mechanisms through certain web servlets.
💻 Affected Systems
- Dell EMC Unisphere for VMAX Virtual Appliance
- Dell EMC Solutions Enabler Virtual Appliance
- Dell EMC VASA Virtual Appliance
- Dell EMC VMAX Embedded Management (eManagement)
📦 What is this software?
Emc Solutions Enabler Virtual Appliance by Dell
View all CVEs affecting Emc Solutions Enabler Virtual Appliance →
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise allowing attacker to access, modify, or delete sensitive storage data, disrupt storage operations, or pivot to other systems in the environment.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to storage management functions, potential data exposure, and configuration manipulation affecting storage availability and integrity.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if systems are isolated, monitored, and have additional authentication layers, though the vulnerability still provides initial access vector.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires knowledge of hard-coded password and message format, but both are likely discoverable through reverse engineering or information sharing.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Unisphere for VMAX 8.4.0.18+, Solutions Enabler 8.4.0.21+, VASA 8.4.0.514+, VMAX eManagement newer than 1.4/Enginuity 5977.1125.1125
Vendor Advisory: http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2018/Feb/41
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Identify affected systems and versions. 2. Download appropriate patches from Dell EMC support portal. 3. Apply patches following vendor documentation. 4. Restart affected services/appliances. 5. Verify patch application and test functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network segmentation and access control
allRestrict network access to vulnerable servlets using firewalls or network ACLs
Web application firewall rules
allBlock requests to vulnerable servlets or containing hard-coded credentials
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected systems in separate network segments with strict access controls
- Implement additional authentication layers and monitor for unauthorized access attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check system version against affected versions list. Attempt to identify if smc account exists and vulnerable servlets are accessible.Check Version:
Check through product-specific management interfaces or CLI commands (varies by product)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify system version is patched. Test that smc account no longer provides access through vulnerable servlets.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Authentication attempts using smc account
- Access to vulnerable servlets from unexpected sources
- Failed authentication followed by successful access
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to known vulnerable servlets
- Traffic patterns matching exploitation attempts
SIEM Query:
source_ip=* AND (user="smc" OR uri_path="*/vulnerable_servlet*")🔗 References
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2018/Feb/41
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103039
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040383
- https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2018-03
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2018/Feb/41
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103039
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040383
- https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2018-03
