CVE-2017-15694 in Geode
Summary
by MITRE
When an Apache Geode server versions 1.0.0 to 1.8.0 is operating in secure mode, a user with write permissions for specific data regions can modify internal cluster metadata. A malicious user could modify this data in a way that affects the operation of the cluster.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15694 affects Apache Geode server versions 1.0.0 through 1.8.0 when operating in secure mode, representing a significant privilege escalation and data integrity threat within distributed data management systems. This vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and validation mechanisms within the cluster's metadata management subsystem, where users with write permissions for specific data regions can manipulate internal cluster metadata structures. The flaw exists in the security model implementation where the system fails to properly validate or restrict modifications to critical cluster metadata, allowing authenticated users to potentially disrupt cluster operations through unauthorized metadata alterations. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and can be categorized under CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically involving insufficient access control validation for internal system data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious user with write permissions for certain data regions attempts to modify cluster metadata that governs the internal state and operation of the Geode cluster. The system's insufficient validation mechanisms allow such modifications to proceed without proper authorization checks, potentially enabling attackers to alter cluster configuration parameters, data distribution settings, or other critical metadata that controls how the distributed system operates. This flaw can be leveraged to cause denial of service conditions, data corruption, or unauthorized data access patterns within the cluster environment. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and access control enforcement, where the system fails to distinguish between legitimate user data operations and potentially harmful metadata modifications that could compromise cluster stability and security.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to the availability and integrity of Apache Geode clusters in production environments. An attacker who gains write access to specific data regions can potentially disrupt cluster operations by modifying metadata that controls data distribution, member communication, or cluster topology information. The consequences can range from partial service degradation to complete cluster failure, depending on the specific metadata elements modified and the cluster's operational dependencies on those structures. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on Apache Geode for mission-critical data management, as it can enable attackers to cause cascading failures within distributed systems where cluster metadata integrity is paramount for proper operation. The impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves data manipulation through cluster or system metadata modification, and can be classified as a privilege escalation vector under ATT&CK technique T1078.002 related to valid accounts with elevated privileges.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Apache Geode versions 1.9.0 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through enhanced access control validation and metadata protection mechanisms. The recommended approach involves applying the security patch that strengthens the validation of metadata modifications and enforces stricter access controls for internal cluster data structures. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit write permissions to only essential administrative users can reduce the attack surface. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unauthorized metadata modifications through log analysis and anomaly detection systems that can identify suspicious patterns in cluster metadata changes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation in distributed systems and demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive security testing of internal system interfaces that are not directly exposed to external users. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions and regular security assessments to identify similar access control weaknesses in their distributed data management infrastructure.