CVE-2017-1000360 in OpenDaylight
Summary
by MITRE
StreamCorruptedException and NullPointerException in OpenDaylight odl-mdsal-xsql. Controller launches exceptions in the console. Component: OpenDaylight odl-mdsal-xsql is vulnerable to this flaw. Version: The tested versions are OpenDaylight 3.3 and 4.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000360 affects the OpenDaylight odl-mdsal-xsql component, which is part of the Model Driven Services Abstraction Layer framework. This flaw manifests as StreamCorruptedException and NullPointerException exceptions that are thrown during controller operations, resulting in console output that indicates system instability. The vulnerability specifically impacts OpenDaylight versions 3.3 and 4.0, representing a critical security gap in the network virtualization platform's data processing capabilities. The issue stems from improper handling of serialized data streams within the xsql module, which processes structured query language operations against data stores. When malformed or unexpected data is processed, the system fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to cascading exceptions that can compromise the stability of the entire controller instance.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the xsql component's failure to properly validate and sanitize input data before processing serialized streams. When the system encounters data that does not conform to expected formats, it triggers a StreamCorruptedException followed by a NullPointerException, indicating that the system attempts to access null references after detecting corrupted data streams. This behavior represents a classic example of inadequate error handling and input validation, falling under CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and CWE-470 Use of Externally-Controlled Input to Select Classes or Code. The vulnerability allows attackers to potentially disrupt service availability through controlled input sequences that force the system into unstable states, creating opportunities for denial of service conditions that can impact network operations managed by the OpenDaylight controller.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the integrity of network management operations. When the controller experiences these exceptions, it may become unresponsive to legitimate management requests or fail to process valid network configuration changes, creating cascading failures in network virtualization environments. The console output generated by these exceptions can also serve as a beacon for attackers to identify system weaknesses and potentially exploit related vulnerabilities. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 Network Denial of Service, as it can be leveraged to create persistent service disruptions. The vulnerability also represents a potential pathway for privilege escalation or information disclosure if attackers can manipulate the data flow to trigger additional system failures or access restricted resources through the corrupted data processing paths.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application to the affected OpenDaylight versions, as well as implementing enhanced input validation mechanisms within the xsql processing pipeline. Organizations should deploy network segmentation to limit exposure of the vulnerable controller instances and implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual exception patterns in console output. The implementation of proper exception handling and data validation routines within the xsql component would prevent the cascading failures that occur when malformed data is processed. Additionally, regular security assessments of the OpenDaylight installation should include validation of data stream handling capabilities and verification of proper error recovery mechanisms. System administrators should also consider implementing automated alerting systems that trigger when specific exception patterns are detected, providing early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation and proper error handling in distributed network management systems, particularly those handling serialized data streams and complex query operations.