CVE-2015-1776 in Hadoop
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Hadoop 2.6.x encrypts intermediate data generated by a MapReduce job and stores it along with the encryption key in a credentials file on disk when the Intermediate data encryption feature is enabled, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading the file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-1776 represents a critical security flaw in Apache Hadoop 2.6.x systems where intermediate data encryption is enabled. This issue stems from the improper handling of encryption keys and sensitive data within the MapReduce framework, creating a significant information disclosure risk for local system users. The flaw specifically affects the intermediate data encryption feature that was designed to protect data during processing but inadvertently creates a security weakness by storing encryption keys alongside the encrypted data in credentials files on disk.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the MapReduce job execution environment where intermediate data is encrypted for security purposes. However, the system fails to properly secure the credentials file containing the encryption keys, leaving these keys accessible to any local user with read permissions. This design flaw directly violates security principles of key management and data protection, as the encryption mechanism becomes ineffective when the keys are stored in plaintext alongside the encrypted data. The credentials file serves as a repository for both the encrypted intermediate data and its corresponding decryption keys, creating a single point of failure that undermines the entire encryption strategy.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of Hadoop clusters where MapReduce jobs are executed. Local users can exploit this weakness to access sensitive information that was intended to remain protected during processing, potentially including personally identifiable information, financial data, or proprietary business information. The vulnerability affects organizations running Apache Hadoop 2.6.x systems where intermediate data encryption is enabled, creating a significant risk for enterprises handling regulated data that must comply with security standards such as pci dss, hipaa, or gdpr requirements. This flaw represents a critical failure in the principle of least privilege, as unauthorized local access can lead to complete data compromise.
Security mitigations for CVE-2015-1776 should focus on immediate remediation through patching Apache Hadoop to version 2.7.1 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should also implement strict file system permissions on credentials files, ensuring that only authorized processes can access these sensitive locations. The recommended approach includes configuring proper access controls and file system permissions to prevent local users from reading the credentials files containing encryption keys. Additionally, security teams should consider disabling intermediate data encryption if the risk assessment indicates that the benefits do not outweigh the exposure risks, or implement additional monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts to encryption key storage locations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses, and represents a significant concern for organizations following ATT&CK framework tactics related to credential access and privilege escalation. The flaw demonstrates how security controls can be rendered ineffective through poor implementation practices and underscores the importance of proper key management and secure file system configurations in distributed computing environments.