CVE-2012-5646 in OpenShift Origin
Summary
by MITRE
node-util/www/html/restorer.php in the Red Hat OpenShift Origin before 1.0.5-3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted uuid in the PATH_INFO.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5646 affects the Red Hat OpenShift Origin platform version 1.0.5-3 and earlier, specifically targeting the node-util/www/html/restorer.php component. This flaw resides within the application's handling of user-supplied input through the PATH_INFO parameter, creating a critical security exposure that enables remote command execution. The vulnerability represents a classic command injection flaw that exploits improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the platform's REST API endpoints.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the insecure processing of the uuid parameter within the PATH_INFO variable. When an attacker crafts a malicious uuid value and passes it through the PATH_INFO, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate this input before incorporating it into system commands. This design flaw allows attackers to inject arbitrary commands that are then executed with the privileges of the web application user, typically resulting in full system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates poor input validation practices that align with CWE-77 and CWE-89, which specifically address command injection and SQL injection vulnerabilities respectively. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it highly exploitable in networked environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. Successful exploitation enables remote code execution, which can lead to data theft, system modification, service disruption, and lateral movement within networked environments. The affected Red Hat OpenShift Origin platform serves as a containerized application platform, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could compromise entire container orchestration environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to deploy malicious containers, access sensitive application data, or establish persistent backdoors within the platform infrastructure. The implications extend beyond individual system compromise to potentially affecting entire cloud deployments and multi-tenant environments where multiple applications share the same infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5646 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 1.0.5-3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, particularly for PATH_INFO parameters and other user-supplied data. The implementation of web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar input handling issues within the platform and related applications. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit potential attack surfaces. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to command and scripting interpreter execution and privilege escalation, highlighting the need for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response capabilities to detect and respond to exploitation attempts.