CVE-2014-3582 in Ambari
Summary
by MITRE
The certificate signing REST API in Apache Ambari before 2.4.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters in the agentHostname value.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3582 resides within the certificate signing REST API of Apache Ambari versions prior to 2.4.0, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through improper input validation. This issue specifically affects the agentHostname parameter within the certificate signing functionality, where the system fails to properly sanitize user-provided input before processing it in shell contexts. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that allow malicious actors to inject shell metacharacters into the agentHostname value, thereby compromising the underlying system through command injection attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted agentHostname value containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks that are then interpreted by the system's shell processing mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category, specifically CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command, which is a well-documented weakness in software systems that fail to properly escape or sanitize input before using it in shell commands. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of command injection and REST API security flaws, where the API endpoint does not adequately validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into system commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. When successfully exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the Ambari service account, which typically has elevated permissions within the Hadoop cluster environment. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of cluster configurations, or even complete takeover of the Hadoop ecosystem managed by Ambari. The vulnerability particularly affects large-scale distributed systems where Ambari is used for cluster management, as it provides attackers with a potential entry point for broader network infiltration and persistent access to critical infrastructure.
Organizations utilizing Apache Ambari versions prior to 2.4.0 face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it allows remote unauthenticated attackers to gain system-level access without requiring valid credentials. The remediation strategy involves upgrading to Apache Ambari version 2.4.0 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms for the certificate signing API. Additionally, implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the certificate signing endpoints, applying input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture, and monitoring for suspicious API usage patterns can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and proper input sanitization as outlined in various security frameworks including the ATT&CK framework's command and control tactics, where adversaries often leverage command injection vulnerabilities to establish persistent access and execute malicious code within target environments.