CVE-2016-3131 in CDH
Summary
by MITRE
Cloudera CDH before 5.6.1 allows authorization bypass via direct internal API calls.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3131 affects Cloudera CDH versions prior to 5.6.1 and represents a critical authorization bypass flaw that undermines the security controls of the platform. This issue stems from insufficient validation of internal API calls, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive system resources and functions. The vulnerability specifically targets the internal application programming interfaces that are designed to operate within the confines of the Cloudera ecosystem, but fails to properly enforce access controls when these interfaces are invoked directly.
The technical flaw manifests through improper authorization checks within the internal API endpoints of Cloudera CDH, which are typically protected by authentication mechanisms and access control policies. When attackers can make direct calls to these internal APIs without proper authentication, they effectively bypass the normal security boundaries that should protect the system. This authorization bypass occurs because the system fails to validate the credentials or permissions of entities making internal API requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to access restricted functionality and data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the internal system level, where security controls are expected to be most robust, yet the flaw allows access to sensitive components that should be protected from unauthorized users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access, as it can enable attackers to perform administrative functions, modify system configurations, and potentially exfiltrate sensitive data from the Cloudera environment. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to cluster management functions, data processing capabilities, and other privileged operations that are normally restricted to authorized personnel. The implications are severe as Cloudera CDH environments typically house critical business data and are integral to enterprise data processing pipelines, making the potential for data breaches and system compromise particularly significant. This vulnerability essentially allows attackers to operate within the system as if they had legitimate administrative privileges, undermining the fundamental security model of the platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3131 involve upgrading to Cloudera CDH version 5.6.1 or later, which includes the necessary patches to address the authorization bypass vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit direct access to internal APIs and ensure that only trusted systems can communicate with these endpoints. Additional security measures include implementing proper API gateway controls, monitoring internal API access patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of the Cloudera environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for phishing, as attackers may use this vulnerability to escalate privileges and gain persistent access to the system. Organizations should also consider implementing zero-trust network architectures that validate all internal communications and enforce strict access controls at every point of the system.