CVE-2001-0077 in Cluster
Summary
by MITRE
The clustmon service in Sun Cluster 2.x does not require authentication, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information such as system logs and cluster configurations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0077 represents a critical security flaw in Sun Cluster 2.x systems where the clustmon service operates without mandatory authentication mechanisms. This service, designed to monitor cluster health and status, exposes sensitive operational data to any remote attacker who can establish network connectivity to the affected system. The absence of authentication requirements creates an inherent security risk that violates fundamental principles of secure system design and access control.
This technical flaw stems from the improper implementation of access controls within the clustmon service architecture. The service operates on a network port that accepts connections without requiring valid credentials or authentication tokens, allowing unauthorized parties to connect and extract sensitive information. The vulnerability specifically affects the information disclosure aspect of the CIA triad, where confidentiality is compromised due to the lack of proper access verification mechanisms. This weakness enables attackers to gather system logs, cluster configurations, and potentially other operational data that could be used for further exploitation or system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the gathered intelligence could facilitate more sophisticated attacks against the cluster infrastructure. Attackers could use the collected information to understand system architecture, identify potential attack vectors, and develop targeted strategies for system compromise. The exposure of cluster configurations may reveal network topologies, service dependencies, and operational parameters that significantly reduce the overall security posture of the affected systems. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where high availability clusters are deployed, as it undermines the security assumptions of clustered computing environments.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation, firewall rules to restrict access to cluster monitoring ports, and the deployment of intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses and authentication failures, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1083, which involves discovering system information through enumeration. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication mechanisms, such as VPN access controls or dedicated management networks, to protect cluster monitoring services from unauthorized access. Regular security assessments and network monitoring should be conducted to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability.