CVE-2015-5167 in Ranger
Summary
by MITRE
The Policy Admin Tool in Apache Ranger before 0.5.1 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions via the REST API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5167 affects Apache Ranger versions prior to 051, specifically targeting the Policy Admin Tool component that exposes a REST API interface. This security flaw represents a critical authorization bypass issue that undermines the fundamental access control mechanisms designed to protect sensitive administrative functions within the Ranger framework. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of user permissions when processing requests through the REST API endpoints, allowing authenticated users to execute operations they should not be authorized to perform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control checks within the Policy Admin Tool's API processing logic. When authenticated users submit requests through the REST interface, the system fails to adequately verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to perform the requested administrative actions. This weakness creates a path for privilege escalation where users with minimal permissions can potentially access and modify policies that should be restricted to administrators or users with specific authorization levels. The flaw specifically impacts the REST API endpoints that handle policy management operations, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to manipulate security policies that govern access to various resources within the Apache Ranger ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially create, modify, or delete security policies that control access to databases, file systems, or other protected resources. This capability significantly weakens the overall security posture of organizations relying on Apache Ranger for centralized access control management, as it allows malicious actors to effectively bypass the very protections they were designed to enforce. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the administrative tool itself, meaning that the attacker could potentially gain access to sensitive configuration data or modify access controls in ways that could compromise entire data environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5167 primarily focus on upgrading to Apache Ranger version 0.5.1 or later, which includes the necessary access control fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and firewall rules to limit access to the Ranger REST API endpoints, particularly restricting access to trusted administrative networks. Additional defensive measures include implementing robust monitoring of API access patterns, enabling detailed logging of policy management operations, and conducting regular security assessments of the Ranger configuration. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access and regularly reviewing user permissions to ensure least privilege principles are maintained throughout the Ranger deployment.