CVE-2014-5280 in boot2docker
Summary
by MITRE
boot2docker 1.2 and earlier allows attackers to conduct cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks by leveraging Docker daemons enabling TCP connections without TLS authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5280 affects boot2docker versions 1.2 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk through cross-site request forgery attacks. This flaw emerges from the improper configuration of Docker daemons that are enabled to accept TCP connections without implementing TLS authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from the default configuration of boot2docker containers which expose Docker daemon interfaces over TCP ports without requiring secure authentication, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to execute unauthorized commands against the Docker host.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the fact that Docker daemons, when configured without proper TLS encryption and authentication, allow any network entity with access to the TCP port to issue commands to the Docker daemon. This creates a dangerous scenario where an attacker can craft malicious web pages or scripts that automatically submit requests to the exposed Docker daemon endpoints. The CSRF attack vector works because the Docker daemon does not validate the origin of requests or require authentication tokens that would normally be present in legitimate client interactions. This flaw directly maps to CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities in web applications and services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised Docker hosts without requiring any authentication credentials. An attacker could potentially gain complete control over the containerized environment, including the ability to create, start, stop, or delete containers, access host filesystems, and manipulate network configurations. This represents a critical escalation from a simple network exposure to a full system compromise, especially in environments where Docker containers are used for hosting sensitive applications or data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in cloud environments or development setups where Docker daemons are exposed to untrusted networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5280 involve implementing proper Docker daemon security configurations that disable TCP access or require robust TLS authentication. Organizations should ensure that Docker daemons are configured to use TLS certificates for all remote connections, implement proper network segmentation to restrict access to Docker ports, and utilize Docker's built-in authentication mechanisms. The recommended approach includes configuring the Docker daemon to listen only on Unix sockets for local access, implementing strict firewall rules to limit TCP port exposure, and ensuring that any necessary remote access uses secure channels with proper certificate validation. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which addresses command and scripting interpreters, as the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems through the Docker daemon interface. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to Docker daemon endpoints and regularly audit their container configurations to ensure compliance with security best practices.