CVE-2013-6492 in Piranha
Summary
by MITRE
The Piranha Configuration Tool in Piranha 0.8.6 does not properly restrict access to webpages, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and read or modify the LVS configuration via an HTTP POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6492 affects the Piranha Configuration Tool version 0.8.6, which is a component designed for managing Linux Virtual Server (LVS) configurations in load balancing environments. This tool serves as a web-based interface for administrators to configure and manage LVS services, making it a critical component in network infrastructure management. The flaw resides in the tool's authentication mechanisms, specifically in how it handles access control for webpages and HTTP requests. The vulnerability represents a significant security weakness that undermines the fundamental security posture of the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control restrictions within the Piranha Configuration Tool's web application framework. When the tool processes HTTP POST requests, it fails to adequately validate user authentication status before allowing access to sensitive configuration pages. This authentication bypass occurs because the application does not properly enforce session management or authorization checks for different web resources. Attackers can exploit this weakness by directly crafting HTTP POST requests to specific endpoints within the tool's web interface, effectively circumventing the normal authentication flow that should require valid credentials before granting access to configuration data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure configuration data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can read the LVS configuration, which may contain sensitive information about load balancer settings, server mappings, and network topology. Beyond read access, the vulnerability also permits modification of these configurations, potentially allowing attackers to redirect traffic, disable services, or introduce malicious configurations that could compromise entire network services. This capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments where the LVS configuration directly affects service availability and network security.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566 related to credential access through exploitation of authentication bypasses. Organizations using Piranha 0.8.6 should immediately implement mitigations including updating to a patched version of the software, implementing network segmentation to restrict access to the configuration tool, and applying additional authentication layers such as firewall rules or reverse proxies. The recommended remediation approach includes ensuring proper session management, implementing robust access control checks for all web endpoints, and conducting thorough security testing of web applications to identify similar authorization flaws. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to configuration interfaces and establish proper network access controls to limit exposure of administrative tools to trusted networks only.