CVE-2024-25963 Overview
CVE-2024-25963 affects Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.2.x through 9.5.0.x. The vulnerability stems from use of a broken cryptographic algorithm [CWE-327]. A remote unauthenticated attacker can exploit the weakness over the network to obtain sensitive information. No user interaction or privileges are required for exploitation. Dell published the issue in advisory DSA-2024-115, which addresses multiple security defects in PowerScale OneFS.
Critical Impact
A remote unauthenticated attacker can leverage the weak cryptographic implementation in PowerScale OneFS to disclose confidential information transmitted or stored by the platform.
Affected Products
- Dell PowerScale OneFS 8.2.2.x
- Dell PowerScale OneFS 9.0.0.x through 9.4.0.x
- Dell PowerScale OneFS 9.5.0.x
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-03-28 - CVE-2024-25963 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-25963
Vulnerability Analysis
The defect is categorized under [CWE-327] Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm. Dell PowerScale OneFS relies on a cryptographic primitive that no longer meets modern security expectations. Attackers reaching the affected service over the network can exploit weaknesses in the algorithm to recover plaintext or otherwise expose protected data. Exploitation does not require authentication, valid credentials, or any action from a legitimate user.
The impact is limited to confidentiality. Data integrity and availability of the cluster remain intact, but information traversing or protected by the weak algorithm is at risk of disclosure. PowerScale OneFS clusters frequently store regulated workloads such as financial records, healthcare data, and intellectual property, which raises the operational stakes for affected deployments.
Root Cause
The root cause is the continued use of an outdated or insecure cryptographic algorithm inside PowerScale OneFS. Such algorithms typically suffer from known weaknesses including small key sizes, predictable output, or feasible collision and recovery attacks. When a network-facing service depends on such a primitive, an attacker observing or interacting with the traffic can derive sensitive material without breaking the protocol itself.
Attack Vector
The vulnerability is exploitable over the network with low attack complexity. An attacker who can reach a PowerScale OneFS service that uses the weak algorithm can attempt cryptanalysis or downgrade techniques to read protected data. Dell has not published exploit details, and no public proof-of-concept code is currently available. See the Dell Security Update DSA-2024-115 for additional context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-25963
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected TLS or SSH sessions to PowerScale management interfaces using legacy cipher suites or hash algorithms.
- Large or repeated read operations against management or replication endpoints from non-administrative source addresses.
- Anomalous traffic patterns to OneFS API endpoints originating from systems outside normal administrative subnets.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory all PowerScale OneFS clusters and confirm running versions against the affected range 8.2.2.x through 9.5.0.x.
- Inspect cipher suite and protocol negotiation logs on OneFS management and data services for use of deprecated algorithms.
- Correlate authentication logs with cluster configuration changes to identify reconnaissance preceding cryptographic exploitation.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward OneFS audit, protocol, and configuration logs to a centralized analytics platform for long-term retention.
- Alert on connections to PowerScale services that negotiate weak ciphers or fall back from stronger algorithms.
- Monitor for new or modified accounts and exported shares following any suspicious cryptographic negotiation events.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-25963
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the patched OneFS release identified in Dell advisory DSA-2024-115 as the primary remediation.
- Restrict network access to PowerScale management interfaces to dedicated administrative networks and jump hosts.
- Audit current cipher suite and protocol settings on all OneFS clusters and disable deprecated algorithms where supported.
Patch Information
Dell released fixes for PowerScale OneFS as part of Dell Security Update DSA-2024-115. Administrators should upgrade affected clusters to the fixed release listed in the advisory. The advisory addresses multiple CVEs in addition to CVE-2024-25963 and should be applied in its entirety.
Workarounds
- Place affected OneFS clusters behind firewalls or VPN concentrators that limit exposure to trusted administrative sources only.
- Enforce strong cipher policies on adjacent network devices to discourage downgrade attempts against the cluster.
- Increase logging verbosity on PowerScale services until the official patch is deployed across the environment.
# Configuration example
# Restrict access to OneFS management interfaces from trusted admin subnets only
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -s 10.10.50.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
