CVE-2017-12195 in OpenShift Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in all Openshift Enterprise versions using the openshift elasticsearch plugin. An attacker with knowledge of the given name used to authenticate and access Elasticsearch can later access it without the token, bypassing authentication. This attack also requires that the Elasticsearch be configured with an external route, and the data accessed is limited to the indices.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12195 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Red Hat OpenShift Enterprise versions that utilize the openshift elasticsearch plugin. This weakness stems from improper handling of authentication tokens within the Elasticsearch integration, creating a scenario where malicious actors can circumvent the intended security controls. The vulnerability specifically affects environments where OpenShift Enterprise systems are configured to use external routes for Elasticsearch access, making it particularly dangerous in production deployments where such configurations are common.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves a race condition or token management issue within the plugin's authentication mechanism. When users authenticate to Elasticsearch using their credentials, the system should properly validate and manage authentication tokens to ensure continued access control. However, the vulnerability allows attackers who possess knowledge of valid usernames to exploit a weakness in the token handling process, effectively enabling them to maintain access to the Elasticsearch instance without the need for continuous authentication tokens. This bypass mechanism operates at the application layer and specifically targets the authentication flow between OpenShift and the Elasticsearch plugin.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited over time. Attackers with knowledge of valid usernames can potentially access sensitive data stored within Elasticsearch indices, which may contain application logs, user information, or other critical operational data. The limitation to indices means that while the scope of accessible data is constrained, the potential for data exfiltration, monitoring, or further exploitation remains significant. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using OpenShift Enterprise in containerized environments where Elasticsearch is used for logging and monitoring purposes.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1041 for data compression. The attack requires an initial knowledge of valid usernames, which can be obtained through various reconnaissance methods including credential stuffing, password spraying, or social engineering attacks. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of Elasticsearch access patterns and authentication attempts to detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The configuration requirement for external routes means that organizations can mitigate risk by ensuring proper network segmentation and limiting external access to Elasticsearch services.
Recommended mitigations include immediate patching of affected OpenShift Enterprise versions, implementing strict network controls to limit external access to Elasticsearch instances, and enforcing additional authentication layers such as IP whitelisting or multi-factor authentication. Organizations should also conduct thorough audits of their Elasticsearch configurations to identify and remediate any external route configurations that may expose the system to this type of attack. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be performed to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities in other integrated systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper token lifecycle management and the need for robust authentication mechanisms in containerized environments where multiple services interact through shared authentication systems.