CVE-2016-6353 in CDH
Summary
by MITRE
Cloudera Search in CDH before 5.7.0 allows unauthorized document access because Solr Queries by document id can bypass Sentry document-level security via the RealTimeGetHandler.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-6353 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within Cloudera Search functionality of Cloudera Distribution for Hadoop before version 5.7.0. This issue specifically affects the integration between Cloudera Search and Sentry document-level security mechanisms, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to access sensitive documents that should be restricted based on their security policies. The vulnerability exploits a fundamental weakness in how document access controls are enforced when using specific Solr query mechanisms.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of RealTimeGetHandler requests within the Solr search framework. When users construct Solr queries using document IDs, the system fails to properly validate whether the requesting user has appropriate authorization levels to access the specific documents being queried. This bypass occurs because the RealTimeGetHandler operates outside the normal security checking mechanisms that would normally enforce Sentry policies. The flaw essentially allows attackers to directly request specific document identifiers without undergoing the standard authorization checks that should occur before document access is granted.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to circumvent document-level security controls that are fundamental to protecting sensitive data within Hadoop environments. Organizations using Cloudera Search may experience unauthorized data exposure, potentially leading to data breaches and compliance violations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for targeted document access rather than broad data enumeration, making it more dangerous for attackers seeking specific sensitive information. This type of flaw directly impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and can lead to significant business and regulatory consequences.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and demonstrates how security controls can be bypassed through improper implementation of access control mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion, as attackers can bypass existing security controls to access restricted data. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Cloudera CDH version 5.7.0 or later, which contains the necessary security patches. Additionally, administrators should review and strengthen their Sentry policy configurations, implement additional monitoring for suspicious query patterns, and consider network-level restrictions on access to the RealTimeGetHandler endpoint to limit potential exploitation opportunities.