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March 19, 2025
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How to Fix CVE-2024-48831: A Hard-coded Password Vulnerability in Dell SmartFabric OS10 Software
Dell SmartFabric OS10 is susceptible to a hard-coded password vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-48831. This flaw poses a significant security risk, potentially allowing unauthorized local access to affected systems. This article provides security professionals with the necessary information to understand, identify, and mitigate this vulnerability.
Security teams, including those in DevSecOps, application security, product security, vulnerability management and assessment, penetration testing and red teams, security operations, and engineering, will find this guide valuable in protecting their Dell SmartFabric environments. This article details the vulnerability's impact, affected products, and practical steps for remediation and interim protection.
A Short Introduction to Dell SmartFabric OS10 Software
Dell SmartFabric OS10 is a network operating system designed for open networking environments. It offers advanced features for data center automation, scalability, and performance. SmartFabric OS10 is intended to improve network agility and efficiency by supporting disaggregated hardware and software models, allowing organizations to select best-of-breed components.
Key features include programmability, automation through APIs, and support for various network virtualization technologies. It caters to modern data center needs, providing a flexible and scalable foundation for demanding workloads.
Summary of CVE-2024-48831
CVE ID: CVE-2024-48831
Description: Use of Hard-coded Password vulnerability in Dell SmartFabric OS10 Software.
CVSS Score: 8.4 (High)
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVE-2024-48831 identifies a critical security flaw within Dell SmartFabric OS10 Software, specifically version 10.5.6.x. This vulnerability involves the use of a hard-coded password, which could be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker with local system access. Due to the hard-coded credentials, attackers bypass standard authentication measures, gaining unauthorized entry.
The CVSS score of 8.4 reflects the high potential impact. This score indicates significant risks across confidentiality, integrity, and availability dimensions.
Impact of CVE-2024-48831
The exploitation of CVE-2024-48831 can lead to severe consequences. An attacker with local access exploiting this vulnerability could:
Gain unauthorized access to the system: Bypassing normal authentication mechanisms.
Compromise system integrity: Modifying critical system files or configurations.
Access confidential information: Exposing sensitive data stored on the system.
Potentially disrupt system availability: Leading to denial of service or system instability.
The high CVSS score reflects the extensive damage an attacker could inflict. The ability to access, modify, and disrupt system operations makes this vulnerability a priority for remediation. Organizations must take immediate steps to secure affected systems to prevent potential exploitation and maintain the integrity and availability of their data center infrastructure.
Products Affected by CVE-2024-48831
The following product versions are affected by the CVE-2024-48831 vulnerability:
| Product | Version(s) Affected |
|---|---|
| Dell SmartFabric OS10 Software | 10.5.6.x |
At the time of writing, there are no explicitly confirmed non-affected products or exempted versions beyond updating to patched releases. Users should consult Dell's official advisories for the most up-to-date information.
How to Check If Your Product Is Vulnerable?
Identifying whether your Dell SmartFabric OS10 system is vulnerable involves several steps. These practical checks help assess potential exposure:
Version Verification:
Log into the SmartFabric OS10 system.
Use the command-line interface (CLI) to check the software version. The exact command might vary slightly, but typically involves commands like
show versionorshow system.Compare the displayed version number to the affected version range (10.5.6.x). If the system runs a version within this range, it is potentially vulnerable.
Local Access Review:
Assess who has local access to the affected systems. Review user accounts and access privileges to identify potential risks.
Restrict local access to only authorized personnel.
Security Audits:
Conduct a comprehensive security audit of the system. This includes reviewing configurations, access controls, and installed software.
Look for any signs of unauthorized access or suspicious activity.
How to Fix CVE-2024-48831?
Addressing CVE-2024-48831 requires a multi-faceted approach. As a primary remediation strategy, apply any patches from Dell as soon as they are released. Here are steps to take:
Monitor Official Channels: Since the CVE was recently published, monitor Dell's official channels for security updates or patches. Visit Dell's Security Advisories page and support resources regularly.
Apply Security Patches:
Once a patch is available, follow Dell's instructions to download and install the update.
Before applying the patch, back up the system configuration to ensure a smooth rollback if any issues arise.
Test the patched system in a non-production environment before deploying it to production.
Restrict Local Access:
Immediately investigate and restrict local access to affected systems.
Implement strong access controls, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), where possible.
Regularly review and update access privileges.
Monitor for Unauthorized Access Attempts:
Implement intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) to monitor for unauthorized access attempts.
Analyze system logs for any suspicious activity.
Set up alerts for unusual login patterns or failed authentication attempts.
Conduct a Comprehensive Security Audit:
Perform a thorough security audit of the affected system.
Identify and address any additional vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.
Ensure that all security best practices are followed.
Implement Additional Authentication Mechanisms:
Consider implementing additional authentication mechanisms, such as biometric authentication or smart cards, to enhance security.
Workaround:
While a patch is the ideal solution, here are some interim measures:
Isolate Affected Systems: Segment the affected systems from the rest of the network to minimize the potential impact of a breach.
Disable Unnecessary Services: Disable any unnecessary services or features that could be exploited by an attacker.
These steps aim to help security professionals mitigate the CVE-2024-48831 vulnerability and protect their Dell SmartFabric OS10 systems.
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Arun KL
Arun KL is a cybersecurity professional with 15+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, cloud security, vulnerability management, Penetration Testing, security operations, and incident response. He is adept at designing and implementing robust security solutions to safeguard systems and data. Arun holds multiple industry certifications including CCNA, CCNA Security, RHCE, CEH, and AWS Security.
