CVE-2015-3186 in Ambari
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Apache Ambari before 2.1.0 allows remote authenticated cluster operator users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the note field in a configuration change.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3186 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Apache Ambari versions prior to 2.1.0. This security weakness specifically affects authenticated cluster operators who possess the necessary privileges to make configuration changes within the Ambari management interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied content entered into the note field during configuration modification operations. This particular attack vector demonstrates how seemingly benign administrative functionality can become a conduit for malicious code execution when proper security controls are absent.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the note field parameter within configuration change requests. When an authenticated user submits malicious script code within this field, the application fails to adequately sanitize the input before rendering it in subsequent web responses. This allows the injected malicious code to execute within the context of other users' browsers who view the affected configuration notes. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting. The flaw enables attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, or redirect users to malicious websites.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a means to compromise the security posture of entire Hadoop clusters managed through Ambari. Cluster operators who have administrative privileges can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive cluster information. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the management interface and can lead to unauthorized configuration changes that may compromise cluster security. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact vector that can be exploited through legitimate administrative workflows, making detection more challenging. The attack pattern follows typical XSS exploitation methodologies outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where malicious code execution occurs through web-based interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3186 primarily involve upgrading to Apache Ambari version 2.1.0 or later, which includes proper input sanitization mechanisms and enhanced security controls. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation procedures that filter and escape all user-supplied content before rendering it in web interfaces. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution, regular security auditing of web applications, and mandatory security training for cluster administrators. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of principle of least privilege enforcement and regular security assessments of management interfaces to prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of the Hadoop ecosystem. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual configuration change patterns that may indicate malicious activity within the Ambari management interface.