CVE-2017-10940 in Smart Data Center
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Joyent Smart Data Center prior to [email protected] (e469cf49-4de3-4658-8419-ab42837916ad). An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the docker API. The process does not properly validate user-supplied data which can allow for the upload of arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code under the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-3853.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2021
CVE-2017-10940 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting Joyent Smart Data Center installations prior to [email protected]. This vulnerability operates under the weakness category of CWE-20, which encompasses improper input validation, specifically manifesting within the docker API component of the platform. The flaw stems from inadequate validation of user-supplied data during file upload operations, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can upload arbitrary files to the target system. The vulnerability requires initial access to execute low-privileged code on the target system, establishing a foothold that allows attackers to leverage the flaw for privilege escalation. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, and T1068 for local privilege escalation, as the vulnerability enables execution under root context. The technical implementation involves the docker API failing to properly sanitize or validate file upload parameters, allowing attackers to manipulate the upload process and potentially execute malicious payloads with elevated privileges. This weakness directly impacts the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in input validation controls that should prevent unauthorized file operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to full system compromise, as the root context execution enables attackers to gain complete control over the target environment. The affected system architecture relies on the docker API for container management operations, making this a significant risk for cloud infrastructure deployments where containerized applications are prevalent. Organizations utilizing Joyent Smart Data Center must understand that this vulnerability represents a critical security gap in their container orchestration capabilities, potentially allowing adversaries to establish persistent access and exfiltrate sensitive data from the compromised environment.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic path from initial access to privilege escalation within containerized environments. Attackers who can execute low-privileged code on the target system can leverage the improper validation in the docker API to upload malicious files that subsequently execute with root privileges. This represents a critical failure in the security architecture of the platform, as the system should enforce strict validation and sanitization of all user inputs before processing. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-20 highlights the fundamental security principle that all inputs must be validated and sanitized to prevent injection attacks. The specific nature of the flaw in the docker API upload functionality creates an attack surface that allows for arbitrary file upload capabilities, which can be leveraged for various malicious activities including backdoor installation, data exfiltration, and further lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability directly impacts the container security model by allowing attackers to bypass the normal security boundaries that should protect against unauthorized code execution. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique, where initial access is used to gain elevated privileges through a vulnerable application component. The root context execution capability means that successful exploitation provides attackers with complete administrative control over the compromised system, enabling them to modify system files, install persistent backdoors, and access all system resources. This vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in cloud infrastructure platforms where containerization is prevalent, as the consequences of such flaws can be catastrophic for organizations relying on these technologies.
Organizations must implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address CVE-2017-10940, beginning with immediate patching of affected Joyent Smart Data Center installations to the patched version of agentsshar. The vulnerability's nature requires strict input validation controls to be implemented at the docker API layer, ensuring that all file upload operations properly validate file types, sizes, and content before processing. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of initial access compromise, as the vulnerability requires prior low-privileged code execution to exploit. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file upload activities and unauthorized root context execution attempts. The mitigation approach should include implementing principle of least privilege controls, ensuring that only necessary services have access to the docker API and that file upload capabilities are restricted to authorized users. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar validation flaws in other components of the container infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as a critical issue necessitates immediate remediation, as the potential for full system compromise through root context execution represents an unacceptable risk level for enterprise environments. Organizations should also consider implementing container security solutions that can detect and prevent unauthorized file upload operations and provide additional layers of protection beyond traditional network security measures. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all user inputs in distributed and containerized environments where the attack surface can be significantly expanded through API endpoints.