CVE-2014-8180 in Satellite
Summary
by MITRE
MongoDB on Red Hat Satellite 6 allows local users to bypass authentication by logging in with an empty password and delete information which can cause a Denial of Service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8180 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within MongoDB instances deployed on Red Hat Satellite 6 environments. This issue stems from improper credential validation mechanisms that permit unauthorized local access when users attempt to authenticate using empty password credentials. The flaw specifically affects systems where MongoDB serves as the underlying database management system for Satellite 6's operational functions, creating a significant security risk that extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data destruction capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a weakness in MongoDB's authentication handling process where empty password validation does not properly enforce security protocols. When local users attempt to connect to the MongoDB instance without providing valid credentials, the system erroneously accepts empty password attempts as legitimate authentication. This misconfiguration allows attackers to establish connections to the database service with elevated privileges, bypassing the intended authentication mechanisms that should require valid user credentials. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the local user context, meaning any user with access to the system can potentially exploit this flaw without requiring external network access or complex attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8180 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include substantial data integrity and availability risks. Once authenticated through this bypass mechanism, malicious users can execute delete operations against database records, potentially compromising critical system information that Satellite 6 relies upon for configuration management, inventory tracking, and system monitoring functions. This capability directly enables denial of service conditions where essential operational data becomes unavailable or corrupted, effectively rendering the Satellite 6 management platform non-functional. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of the system by allowing local users to perform administrative operations without proper authorization, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1485 for data destruction. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices in the authentication subsystem and represents a failure in implementing proper credential handling mechanisms. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Red Hat Satellite 6, enforcing proper MongoDB authentication configurations, and implementing additional access controls to limit local user privileges. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized database access attempts and establish regular security audits to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities in other system components.
The remediation approach for CVE-2014-8180 requires comprehensive system hardening measures that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader security posture issues. Organizations must ensure that all MongoDB instances within Satellite 6 environments are configured with proper authentication requirements, including mandatory user credential validation and enforcement of strong password policies. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current system patches and implementing robust access control policies that limit local user privileges to prevent unauthorized administrative actions. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring controls should be strengthened to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar authentication weaknesses across the enterprise infrastructure.