CVE-2000-0191 is a critical vulnerability affecting the Axis StorPoint CD device, a network-attached storage (NAS) product designed for centralized data storage and sharing. The vulnerability arises from improper access control in the web-based administration interface, allowing remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and directly access administrator URLs. This is achieved through a directory traversal (".." or dot-dot) attack, where an attacker manipulates URL paths to navigate outside the intended directory structure and reach sensitive administrative endpoints. Because no authentication is required, an attacker can remotely gain full administrative access to the device, potentially leading to complete compromise. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as an attacker can view, modify, or delete stored data, change device configurations, or disrupt services. The CVSS score of 10.0 reflects the highest severity, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No patches or fixes are available, and while no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the simplicity and severity of the vulnerability make it a significant risk for any organization using this product.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be severe, especially for those relying on Axis StorPoint CD devices for critical data storage and sharing. Unauthorized administrative access can lead to data breaches involving sensitive personal, financial, or intellectual property data, violating GDPR and other regulatory requirements. Integrity of stored data can be compromised, affecting business operations and trustworthiness of information. Availability can also be disrupted by attackers modifying configurations or deleting data, potentially causing downtime and operational losses. Given the lack of patches, organizations face prolonged exposure if devices remain in use. Sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure in Europe, which often utilize NAS devices for secure data management, are particularly at risk. The vulnerability also poses risks to supply chain security if Axis StorPoint CD devices are integrated into larger IT environments.

Since no official patches or updates are available, European organizations should take immediate and specific actions to mitigate risk: 1) Isolate affected Axis StorPoint CD devices from public networks by placing them behind firewalls or within segmented internal networks to prevent unauthorized remote access. 2) Disable or restrict access to the web-based administration interface, limiting it to trusted IP addresses or VPN connections only. 3) Monitor network traffic for suspicious access attempts targeting the device’s administrative URLs, using intrusion detection systems (IDS) or security information and event management (SIEM) tools. 4) Consider replacing Axis StorPoint CD devices with modern, supported NAS solutions that have active security maintenance. 5) Conduct regular audits of device configurations and access logs to detect any unauthorized activity. 6) Implement compensating controls such as strong network access controls and multi-factor authentication on network segments hosting these devices. 7) Educate IT staff about the vulnerability and ensure they are prepared to respond to potential incidents involving these devices.