CVE-2016-3083 in Hive
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Hive (JDBC + HiveServer2) implements SSL for plain TCP and HTTP connections (it supports both transport modes). While validating the server's certificate during the connection setup, the client in Apache Hive before 1.2.2 and 2.0.x before 2.0.1 doesn't seem to be verifying the common name attribute of the certificate. In this way, if a JDBC client sends an SSL request to server abc.com, and the server responds with a valid certificate (certified by CA) but issued to xyz.com, the client will accept that as a valid certificate and the SSL handshake will go through.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-3083 represents a critical certificate validation flaw in Apache Hive's implementation of Secure Sockets Layer security for both JDBC and HiveServer2 connections. This issue affects Apache Hive versions prior to 1.2.2 and 2.0.x versions before 2.0.1, creating a significant security weakness that undermines the fundamental purpose of SSL/TLS certificate validation. The flaw specifically targets the validation of the common name attribute within X.509 certificates, which is a crucial component of the certificate verification process designed to ensure that clients connect to the intended server.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from Apache Hive's failure to properly validate the Subject Alternative Name (SAN) and Common Name (CN) fields during SSL handshake procedures. When a JDBC client establishes a connection to a Hive server, the client should verify that the certificate presented by the server matches the hostname being connected to, typically through checking either the CN field or the SAN extension of the certificate. In this case, the client accepts certificates issued to different domains as valid, allowing for potential man-in-the-middle attacks where an attacker could present a legitimate certificate issued to a different domain name. This bypass of certificate validation creates a trust relationship that should not exist, as the client cannot confirm that it is communicating with the intended server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, particularly in enterprise environments where Apache Hive serves as a critical data processing platform. Attackers could exploit this weakness by setting up malicious servers with valid certificates issued to different domain names, potentially intercepting sensitive data transmitted between JDBC clients and Hive servers. The vulnerability allows for credential theft, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to analytical databases containing potentially sensitive information. This issue particularly affects organizations using Hive in production environments where data security and integrity are paramount, as the flaw essentially renders the SSL/TLS protection mechanisms ineffective against specific types of attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation, and represents a clear violation of the principle of certificate chain validation that is fundamental to secure communications.
The security implications extend beyond simple data interception to encompass potential privilege escalation and unauthorized database access. When clients trust certificates without proper validation of the common name, they become vulnerable to various attack vectors including DNS spoofing, certificate substitution attacks, and relay attacks where malicious actors can impersonate legitimate Hive servers. Organizations using Apache Hive in environments with sensitive data processing are particularly at risk, as this vulnerability undermines the entire SSL/TLS security framework that is expected to protect data in transit. The flaw also impacts compliance with security standards such as those outlined in the NIST SP 800-57 framework for cryptographic key management and TLS protocol implementation. Mitigation strategies should include immediate upgrade to patched versions of Apache Hive, implementation of additional network-level security controls, and enhanced monitoring of SSL connection patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper certificate validation implementation in security-critical applications and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when cryptographic validation mechanisms are improperly implemented or bypassed.