CVE-2014-0594 in Open Build Service
Summary
by MITRE
In the Open Build Service (OBS) before version 2.4.6 the CSRF protection is incorrectly disabled in the web interface, allowing for requests without the user's consent.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2023
The Open Build Service represents a distributed build system that enables users to build and distribute software packages across multiple platforms and architectures. This system operates through a web interface that allows users to manage projects, submit packages, and configure build settings. The vulnerability in question affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms within this web interface, specifically targeting the Cross-Site Request Forgery protection that should prevent unauthorized actions from being executed on behalf of authenticated users.
The technical flaw in CVE-2014-0594 stems from an incorrect implementation of CSRF protection mechanisms within the OBS web interface. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 2.4.6 and allows attackers to craft malicious requests that can be executed without the user's knowledge or explicit consent. The flaw occurs when the system fails to properly validate the presence of anti-CSRF tokens or fails to enforce proper session validation during request processing. This misconfiguration creates a scenario where an attacker can trick a victim into performing actions on the OBS system while authenticated, effectively bypassing the intended security controls that should ensure user consent for each action.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially enabling complete compromise of user accounts and project integrity. An attacker could leverage this flaw to modify project configurations, submit malicious packages, delete important build artifacts, or even escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability particularly affects the web interface's ability to distinguish between legitimate user-initiated requests and those generated by malicious actors. This weakness creates a persistent threat vector where users remain unaware that unauthorized actions are being performed on their behalf, potentially leading to data corruption, system compromise, or unauthorized code deployment.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through CSRF attacks. Organizations relying on OBS for software distribution face significant risks when operating vulnerable versions, as the attack surface expands to include any authenticated user session. The impact is particularly severe in environments where OBS is used for critical software development workflows, as unauthorized modifications could affect the integrity of build processes and potentially introduce backdoors or malicious code into distributed software packages.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching to version 2.4.6 or later, which includes proper CSRF token validation and enforcement. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for unusual activity patterns in the OBS interface, particularly around configuration changes and package submissions. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, while regular security assessments should verify that CSRF protection mechanisms remain properly configured. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication controls and session management policies to reduce the potential impact of any remaining vulnerabilities in the system.