PowerScale OneFS: Covert Timing Channel
CVE-2024-25964 is a high-severity covert timing channel vulnerability in PowerScale OneFS from Dell, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected PowerScale OneFS versions: 9.5.0.0 through 9.5.0.6; 9.6.1.0 through 9.7.0.0; 9.6.1 through 9.7.0.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.67% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 53% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of PowerScale OneFS you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on dell.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell | PowerScale OneFS | 9.5.0.0 through 9.5.0.6; 9.6.1.0 through 9.7.0.0; 9.6.1 through 9.7.0.0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 5.3 | Medium | CNA (emc.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
Dell PowerScale OneFS 9.5.0.x through 9.7.0.x contain a covert timing channel vulnerability. A remote unauthenticated attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to denial of service.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Covert Timing Channel
Covert timing channels convey information by modulating some aspect of system behavior over time, so that the program receiving the information can observe system behavior and infer protected information.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Whenever possible, specify implementation strategies that do not introduce time variances in operations.
- Often one can artificially manipulate the time which operations take or -- when operations occur -- can remove information from the attacker.
- It is reasonable to add artificial or random delays so that the amount of CPU time consumed is independent of the action being taken by the application.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in PowerScale OneFS
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Covert Timing Channel vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
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