CVE-2025-43723 Overview
Dell PowerScale OneFS contains a use of a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm vulnerability that affects multiple versions of the enterprise-grade scale-out network-attached storage (NAS) solution. This cryptographic weakness allows an unauthenticated attacker with remote network access to potentially exploit the vulnerability, leading to unauthorized information disclosure.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit weak cryptographic implementations to access sensitive information stored on affected PowerScale OneFS systems without requiring any privileges or user interaction.
Affected Products
- Dell PowerScale OneFS versions prior to 9.10.1.3
- Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 9.11.0.0 through 9.12.0.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-11-10 - CVE-2025-43723 published to NVD
- 2026-02-20 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-43723
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-327 (Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm). The flaw exists within the cryptographic implementation used by Dell PowerScale OneFS, where weak or deprecated cryptographic algorithms are employed for protecting sensitive data or communications.
The vulnerability requires no authentication and can be exploited remotely over the network. An attacker does not need any privileges on the target system, nor is any user interaction required to carry out an attack. The successful exploitation of this vulnerability results in a high impact to confidentiality, potentially exposing sensitive information stored on or transmitted by the affected PowerScale OneFS system.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2025-43723 lies in the implementation of cryptographic algorithms within Dell PowerScale OneFS that do not meet current security standards. This may include the use of deprecated cipher suites, weak encryption algorithms, or outdated cryptographic protocols that have known weaknesses and can be circumvented by attackers with sufficient resources.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based, meaning an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring physical access to the target system. The attack complexity is low, indicating that exploitation does not require specialized conditions or extensive preparation.
An attacker could potentially intercept, decrypt, or otherwise access protected information by exploiting the weak cryptographic implementation. This could include:
- Intercepting encrypted communications between clients and the PowerScale OneFS system
- Decrypting stored data that relies on the weak cryptographic algorithm
- Bypassing authentication mechanisms that depend on the compromised cryptography
The vulnerability mechanism relates to the use of deprecated or weak cryptographic algorithms within the PowerScale OneFS platform. Attackers with network access can potentially exploit these cryptographic weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. For complete technical details, refer to the Dell Security Advisory DSA-2025-381.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43723
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual network traffic patterns targeting PowerScale OneFS management interfaces
- Unexpected cryptographic negotiation attempts using deprecated cipher suites or protocols
- Authentication anomalies or unexpected access to protected resources
- Log entries indicating repeated connection attempts from unknown sources
Detection Strategies
- Monitor PowerScale OneFS system logs for suspicious authentication or access attempts
- Implement network traffic analysis to detect potential cryptographic downgrade attacks
- Use vulnerability scanners to identify systems running affected OneFS versions
- Deploy intrusion detection systems configured to alert on known weak cryptographic protocol usage
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable comprehensive logging on all PowerScale OneFS systems and forward logs to a centralized SIEM
- Configure alerts for unusual data access patterns or large data transfers
- Monitor network connections to PowerScale systems for anomalous behavior
- Regularly audit cryptographic configurations and protocol usage on affected systems
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43723
Immediate Actions Required
- Inventory all Dell PowerScale OneFS deployments and identify systems running vulnerable versions
- Prioritize patching for internet-facing or externally accessible PowerScale systems
- Review access controls and restrict network access to PowerScale management interfaces
- Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable systems
Patch Information
Dell has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Organizations should upgrade to Dell PowerScale OneFS version 9.10.1.3 or later for systems on the 9.10.x branch. For systems running versions 9.11.0.0 through 9.12.0.0, consult the Dell Security Advisory DSA-2025-381 for the appropriate remediated version and upgrade instructions.
Workarounds
- Restrict network access to PowerScale OneFS systems using firewall rules and network ACLs
- Implement VPN or other secure access methods for remote management of affected systems
- Disable any unnecessary network services or protocols on affected systems
- Monitor for suspicious activity while awaiting patch deployment
# Example: Restrict access to PowerScale management interface (network-level)
# Implement appropriate firewall rules to limit access to trusted IP ranges
# Consult Dell documentation for system-specific configuration commands
isi network modify --allow-management-ips=<trusted_ip_range>
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
