CVE-2022-41553: Insertion of Sensitive Information into Temporary File Vulnerability in Hitachi Infrastructure Analytics and Ops Center Analyzer on Linux

A significant security vulnerability, identified as CVE-2022-41553, has been found in Hitachi Infrastructure Analytics Advisor (versions 2..-00 to 4.4.-00) running on Linux, as well as Hitachi Ops Center Analyzer on Linux (versions 10..-00 before 10.9.-00). This vulnerability allows local users to gain access to sensitive information through the insertion of sensitive data into temporary files. Security professionals, system administrators, and users of the affected Hitachi software should be aware of this issue and take appropriate measures to mitigate its impact.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability stems from the insecure handling of sensitive data within temporary files. Due to improper input validation and insufficient privilege management, a local attacker can exploit this flaw to access sensitive information stored in these temporary files. Such information may include credentials, configuration settings, and other critical data that could potentially be used to launch further attacks or escalate privileges on the target system.

To better understand the mechanism behind this vulnerability, consider the following code snippet

// Example of insecure temporary file handling
char temp_file[100];
FILE *file_ptr;

strcpy(temp_file, "/tmp/tmpfileXXXXXX");

// Create a temporary file
int file_desc = mkstemp(temp_file);

// Write sensitive data to the temporary file
file_ptr = fdopen(file_desc, "w");
fputs("SENSITIVE_INFORMATION_HERE", file_ptr);

fclose(file_ptr);

In the example above, sensitive information is written to a temporary file in the "/tmp" directory. However, due to insufficient privilege management and improper input validation, this data can be accessed by a local attacker with malicious intent.

Original References

Hitachi has acknowledged this vulnerability and is urging affected users to apply the necessary patches and workarounds as outlined in their official security advisories:

Hitachi Infrastructure Analytics Advisor on Linux (Analytics probe component):

Hitachi Security Advisory

Hitachi Ops Center Analyzer on Linux (Hitachi Ops Center Analyzer probe component)

Hitachi Security Advisory

Exploit and Mitigation

To exploit this vulnerability, a local attacker would require direct access to the target system where the vulnerable Hitachi software is installed. In order to minimize the risk, it is recommended that affected users take the following actions:

1. Apply the latest security patches provided by Hitachi and update the affected software to the latest version. This can be done by referring to the official Hitachi security advisory links mentioned above.
2. Restrict access to sensitive information and files. Ensure that proper access controls, such as file permissions and user privileges, are in place to prevent unauthorized users from accessing critical data.
3. Monitor system activity and logs for any signs of suspicious activity. Implement intrusion detection and response measures to quickly contain and mitigate potential threats.

Conclusion

CVE-2022-41553 is a severe vulnerability affecting Hitachi Infrastructure Analytics Advisor and Hitachi Ops Center Analyzer on Linux. The insertion of sensitive information into temporary files poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of affected systems. By updating the software, implementing robust access controls, and regularly monitoring system activity, users can better protect themselves from this and other similar threats.

Timeline

Published on: 11/01/2022 03:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 05/16/2023 11:02:00 UTC