CVE-2016-8631 in OpenShift Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
The OpenShift Enterprise 3 router does not properly sort routes when processing newly added routes. An attacker with access to create routes can potentially overwrite existing routes and redirect network traffic for other users to their own site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8631 affects OpenShift Enterprise 3 router implementations where improper route sorting mechanisms exist during the processing of newly added routes. This flaw resides within the routing logic that governs how the container platform handles network traffic redirection and service exposure. The issue manifests when the router component fails to maintain proper ordering of route entries, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the system's route handling behavior.
The technical implementation flaw stems from inadequate sorting algorithms within the OpenShift router's route processing pipeline. When multiple routes are created or updated simultaneously, the system does not consistently maintain alphabetical or numerical order of route entries, leading to unpredictable behavior in route resolution. This vulnerability specifically impacts the router's ability to properly prioritize and manage route entries, particularly when new routes are added to an existing set of configurations. The flaw creates a condition where route priority can be manipulated through careful timing and route creation sequences.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant security risk to multi-tenant OpenShift environments where multiple users or applications share the same routing infrastructure. An attacker with minimal privileges to create routes within the system can potentially exploit this flaw to overwrite legitimate route entries and redirect network traffic intended for other users. This type of attack falls under the category of route hijacking or traffic redirection attacks, which can lead to data interception, service disruption, and unauthorized access to sensitive applications. The impact extends beyond simple redirection as it compromises the integrity of the entire routing infrastructure.
The vulnerability's implications align with CWE-1274, which addresses improper route sorting in network applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol: DNS, where attackers manipulate routing to redirect traffic. The flaw represents a privilege escalation opportunity within the container orchestration environment, as it allows users with route creation privileges to effectively gain unauthorized access to other users' network traffic. Organizations using OpenShift Enterprise 3 must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where strict network isolation and traffic control are required.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper route sorting mechanisms within the OpenShift router component, ensuring that all route entries are consistently ordered regardless of creation sequence. System administrators should consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized route modifications. The recommended approach includes updating to patched versions of OpenShift Enterprise 3, implementing route validation checks, and establishing network monitoring protocols that can detect anomalous route behavior. Organizations should also consider implementing route entry auditing and automated alerting systems to identify potential exploitation attempts before they can cause significant damage to the routing infrastructure and network traffic integrity.