CVE-2024-22463: Dell PowerScale OneFS Crypto Vulnerability

CVE-2024-22463 Overview

Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.x through 9.6.0.x contain a critical vulnerability involving the use of a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm. This weakness (CWE-327) allows a remote unprivileged attacker to potentially exploit the system, leading to the compromise of confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information stored on affected PowerScale clusters.

Critical Impact
Remote attackers without authentication can exploit weak cryptographic implementations to compromise sensitive data confidentiality and integrity on Dell PowerScale storage systems.

Affected Products

Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.x through 9.6.0.x
Dell PowerScale OneFS version 9.6.1

Discovery Timeline

2024-03-04 - CVE-2024-22463 published to NVD
2026-02-20 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-22463

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from the implementation of cryptographic algorithms that are considered broken or risky within Dell PowerScale OneFS. The weakness allows network-based attacks that require no user interaction or special privileges, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise storage environments. When successfully exploited, attackers can compromise both the confidentiality and integrity of data, though system availability remains unaffected.

The attack surface is significant because PowerScale OneFS is commonly deployed in enterprise environments to manage large-scale storage infrastructure, meaning sensitive corporate data could be exposed through this cryptographic weakness.

Root Cause

The root cause is classified as CWE-327: Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm. This occurs when the software uses a cryptographic algorithm that has known weaknesses or is considered obsolete by modern security standards. Such algorithms may be vulnerable to cryptanalysis attacks, allowing attackers to decrypt protected data or forge authenticated messages without possessing the appropriate keys.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction. An attacker positioned on the network can target the weak cryptographic implementation to intercept, decrypt, or manipulate sensitive communications or stored data. The attack complexity is low, meaning readily available tools and techniques can be employed to exploit this weakness.

Since no verified exploitation code examples are available, the vulnerability mechanism involves identifying and targeting the weak cryptographic algorithms used by OneFS for data protection or authentication purposes. Technical details regarding specific cipher suites or protocols affected should be obtained from the Dell Security Advisory DSA-2024-062.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-22463

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual network traffic patterns indicating potential cryptographic downgrade attacks against PowerScale nodes
Unexpected authentication attempts or session anomalies on PowerScale management interfaces
Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized access to sensitive files stored on affected OneFS clusters

Detection Strategies

Monitor SSL/TLS handshakes and cryptographic negotiations for use of deprecated cipher suites on PowerScale systems
Implement network intrusion detection rules to identify potential man-in-the-middle attack patterns
Review PowerScale audit logs for suspicious access patterns or authentication anomalies
Deploy network traffic analysis to detect potential cryptographic protocol attacks

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable comprehensive logging on Dell PowerScale OneFS systems and forward logs to a centralized SIEM
Implement continuous vulnerability scanning to identify unpatched PowerScale systems in your environment
Monitor for Dell security advisories and CVE announcements related to PowerScale products
Establish baseline network behavior for PowerScale clusters to detect anomalous activity

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-22463

Immediate Actions Required

Identify all Dell PowerScale OneFS systems running versions 8.2.x through 9.6.0.x in your environment
Review the Dell Security Advisory DSA-2024-062 for specific remediation guidance
Prioritize patching based on the criticality of data stored on affected PowerScale clusters
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable PowerScale systems until patches can be applied

Patch Information

Dell has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Administrators should upgrade to Dell PowerScale OneFS version 9.6.1 or later, which contains the fix for this cryptographic weakness. Detailed patch information and download links are available in the Dell Security Update DSA-2024-062.

Workarounds

Restrict network access to PowerScale systems using firewall rules and network ACLs to limit exposure
Implement additional encryption layers such as VPN tunnels for sensitive data transmission to and from PowerScale clusters
Monitor and audit all access to PowerScale systems until patches can be applied
Consider temporarily disabling affected services if feasible and documented in Dell's security advisory

bash

# Example: Restrict network access to PowerScale management interfaces
# Consult Dell documentation for specific OneFS CLI commands
# Network ACL example (adapt to your environment)
isi network acl create --name=security_restrict --policy=deny --source=0.0.0.0/0
isi network acl modify security_restrict --add-allow-rule --source=<trusted_network>/24