CVE-2013-5200 in AppSuite
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) REST and (2) memcache interfaces in the Hazelcast cluster API in Open-Xchange AppSuite 7.0.x before 7.0.2-rev15 and 7.2.x before 7.2.2-rev16 do not require authentication, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or modify data via an API call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5200 affects the Hazelcast cluster API implementation within Open-Xchange AppSuite versions 7.0.x prior to 7.0.2-rev15 and 7.2.x prior to 7.2.2-rev16. This security flaw resides in the REST and memcache interfaces that are part of the distributed caching and clustering functionality provided by Hazelcast. The affected components operate as critical infrastructure elements that enable data synchronization and cluster management across multiple nodes in a distributed environment, making them prime targets for unauthorized access attempts.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper authentication mechanisms within the REST and memcache interfaces. These interfaces are designed to facilitate communication between cluster nodes and external systems, but they fail to validate user credentials or session tokens before processing API requests. This authentication bypass vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute unauthorized operations against the cluster API without requiring any valid credentials. The flaw essentially creates an open door for malicious actors to interact with sensitive cluster management functions through unauthenticated API calls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant and multifaceted, encompassing both information disclosure and data modification capabilities. Attackers can leverage this weakness to obtain sensitive information from the cluster, including configuration details, user data, and system metadata that should remain protected. Additionally, the vulnerability enables unauthorized data modification operations, potentially allowing attackers to alter cluster configurations, manipulate cached data, or even disrupt cluster operations entirely. The implications extend beyond simple data theft, as attackers could compromise the integrity and availability of the entire distributed system, affecting multiple services that depend on the cluster for data consistency.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient authentication controls that violates fundamental security principles. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Hazelcast clusters typically serve as core infrastructure components for enterprise applications, making the impact of exploitation far-reaching. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it involves exploiting an unauthenticated API endpoint that is accessible from external networks. The threat actor can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access to cluster resources and potentially escalate privileges within the broader system architecture.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the vendor-provided patches and updates that address this authentication vulnerability in the Open-Xchange AppSuite. Organizations should immediately upgrade to the patched versions 7.0.2-rev15 and 7.2.2-rev16 to resolve the issue. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to the affected interfaces, and firewall rules should be configured to limit external access to these API endpoints. Administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts, as the vulnerability could potentially be exploited without immediate detection. Regular security assessments of cluster configurations and API endpoints should be conducted to identify and remediate similar authentication weaknesses in other system components.