CVE-2011-0466 in openSUSE Build Service
Summary
by MITRE
The API in SUSE openSUSE Build Service (OBS) 2.0.x before 2.0.8 and 2.1.x before 2.1.6 allows attackers to bypass intended write-access restrictions and modify a (1) package or (2) project via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0466 affects the SUSE openSUSE Build Service (OBS) version 2.0.x prior to 2.0.8 and 2.1.x prior to 2.1.6, representing a critical authorization bypass flaw that undermines the security controls designed to protect package and project modifications within the build infrastructure. This vulnerability resides in the API layer of the OBS system, which serves as the primary interface for managing software packages and projects in the openSUSE ecosystem. The flaw allows unauthorized attackers to escalate their privileges and gain write access to sensitive build artifacts, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire software distribution pipeline. The unspecified vectors through which this bypass occurs suggest a fundamental flaw in the access control mechanisms that should have prevented unauthorized modifications to package and project resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and authorization checks within the OBS API endpoints responsible for handling package and project modification requests. When legitimate users attempt to perform write operations on packages or projects, the system should verify proper authorization based on user roles, permissions, and access control lists. However, the flaw in the authorization logic allows attackers to craft malicious API requests that circumvent these security checks, enabling them to modify critical build components without proper authentication. This represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that aligns with CWE-285, which covers improper authorization issues in software systems. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to perform operations that should be restricted to authorized users only, creating a pathway for privilege escalation within the build service environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0466 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it compromises the integrity and trustworthiness of the entire software build and distribution process. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can modify package contents, alter project configurations, or inject malicious code into the build pipeline, potentially affecting thousands of downstream users who rely on the openSUSE repositories. The implications are particularly severe given that OBS serves as a critical infrastructure component for software distribution, where compromised packages could lead to widespread system compromise across the openSUSE user base. This vulnerability undermines the security model that ensures only authorized developers can modify software packages, creating potential attack vectors for supply chain compromises that align with ATT&CK technique T1584.001 for compromise of build systems and T1584.002 for compromise of software supply chains. The impact is compounded by the fact that such modifications could go undetected for extended periods, allowing attackers to maintain persistent access to the build infrastructure.
Mitigation of CVE-2011-0466 requires immediate deployment of patches and updates to OBS versions 2.0.8 and 2.1.6 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the authorization bypass issue. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their OBS environments to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred before patching. The remediation process involves implementing proper input validation and access control checks throughout the API layer, ensuring that all write operations are properly authenticated and authorized before execution. Security administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous API activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, focusing on unauthorized write operations on packages and projects. Additionally, organizations should review and strengthen their overall access control policies, ensuring that the principle of least privilege is properly enforced within the OBS environment. The fix addresses the underlying authorization mechanism by implementing robust checks that validate user credentials and permissions against established access control lists before allowing any modification operations to proceed, effectively closing the bypass vector that attackers exploited to gain unauthorized write access to build artifacts.