CVE-2018-1238 : Security Advisory and Response

Dell EMC ScaleIO versions prior to 2.5 contain a command injection vulnerability in the Light Installation Agent (LIA), allowing unauthorized users to execute commands with root privileges.

Understanding CVE-2018-1238

What is CVE-2018-1238?

The Light Installation Agent (LIA) in Dell EMC ScaleIO versions older than 2.5 has a security flaw that permits command injection, enabling unauthorized commands execution with root privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1238

If exploited, unauthorized users can run arbitrary commands as root on affected systems, compromising their integrity and security.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1238

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the LIA component, responsible for managing ScaleIO deployment using shell commands, which can be abused by malicious actors.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ScaleIO
Vendor: Dell EMC
Versions Affected: Prior to 2.5

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users with network access to LIA and knowledge of the administrative password can exploit this flaw to execute unauthorized commands with root privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ScaleIO to version 2.5 or newer to eliminate the vulnerability.
Restrict network access to LIA to authorized users only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong password policies and regularly change passwords.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Dell EMC to ensure the ongoing protection of the ScaleIO deployment.