CVE-2015-4078 in Navigator
Summary
by MITRE
Cloudera Navigator 2.2.x before 2.2.4 and 2.3.x before 2.3.3 include support for SSLv3 when configured to use SSL/TLS, which makes it easier for man-in-the-middle attackers to obtain cleartext data via a padding-oracle attack, a variant of CVE-2014-3566 (aka POODLE).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
Cloudera Navigator version 2.2.x before 2.2.4 and 2.3.x before 2.3.3 contains a critical security vulnerability that stems from improper SSL/TLS configuration practices. This vulnerability specifically affects the cryptographic protocol handling within the Cloudera Navigator component, which is designed to provide metadata management and security auditing capabilities for Hadoop environments. The flaw allows the system to negotiate and accept SSLv3 connections even when configured to use SSL/TLS protocols, creating a significant security gap that exposes the system to various cryptographic attacks. This issue directly relates to the well-known POODLE vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3566, which demonstrated how SSLv3's vulnerability to padding-oracle attacks could be exploited by man-in-the-middle adversaries to decrypt encrypted communications and obtain sensitive cleartext data.
The technical implementation flaw occurs at the protocol negotiation layer where Cloudera Navigator fails to properly enforce the use of secure TLS protocols while still permitting SSLv3 connections. This misconfiguration allows attackers to downgrade the connection from TLS to SSLv3, exploiting the inherent weaknesses in SSLv3's cryptographic implementation. The padding-oracle attack mechanism leverages the predictable padding behavior in SSLv3's encryption scheme to gradually decrypt communication data without possessing the actual cryptographic keys. This vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-319, which addresses "Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information," and represents a classic example of protocol downgrade attacks that have been documented in various cybersecurity frameworks including the MITRE ATT&CK matrix under the technique of credential access through protocol manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations using Cloudera Navigator in production environments where sensitive data is processed and transmitted. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept and decrypt communications between Cloudera Navigator components and other systems, potentially gaining access to metadata, audit logs, and other sensitive information. The vulnerability affects not only the direct communication channels but also the integrity of the security auditing functions that Cloudera Navigator is designed to provide. Organizations may experience data breaches, compliance violations, and loss of trust in their data management systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Cloudera Navigator is widely deployed for managing critical Hadoop ecosystems. This issue directly impacts the CIA triad, specifically compromising confidentiality and integrity of data flows within the Cloudera environment.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Cloudera Navigator versions 2.2.4 or 2.3.3, which contain patches that properly disable SSLv3 support and enforce secure TLS protocol usage. Organizations should also implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect any attempts to establish SSLv3 connections and configure their systems to explicitly disable SSLv3 in all cryptographic protocol configurations. Security administrators should review and validate all SSL/TLS configurations to ensure that only secure protocol versions are accepted, typically requiring TLS 1.2 or higher with appropriate cipher suite selection. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation, using intrusion detection systems to monitor for protocol downgrade attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of all components within the Cloudera ecosystem. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper cryptographic protocol implementation and the critical need for organizations to maintain current security patches and configurations to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.