CVE-2017-15696 in Geode Cluster
Summary
by MITRE
When an Apache Geode cluster before v1.4.0 is operating in secure mode, the Geode configuration service does not properly authorize configuration requests. This allows an unprivileged user who gains access to the Geode locator to extract configuration data and previously deployed application code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15696 represents a critical authorization flaw within Apache Geode clusters operating in secure mode prior to version 1.4.0. This issue resides in the configuration service component that manages and distributes cluster configuration data. The flaw stems from insufficient access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate user permissions when processing configuration requests. In a properly configured secure environment, only authorized administrators should possess the ability to access sensitive cluster configuration details and deployed application code. However, this vulnerability creates a pathway for unauthorized users who have gained access to a Geode locator to bypass normal authorization checks and extract confidential information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the Geode locator service which acts as a central point for cluster coordination and configuration management. When an attacker compromises access to a locator node, they can exploit the missing authorization checks to query and retrieve configuration data that includes sensitive information such as security credentials, network settings, application deployment details, and potentially the actual application code that has been deployed within the cluster. This represents a privilege escalation vulnerability where local access to a locator translates into unauthorized access to cluster-wide configuration data. The flaw operates at the service level within the Geode architecture, specifically targeting the configuration service's request handling mechanisms that should enforce proper authentication and authorization before returning sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with comprehensive insights into the cluster's operational environment and deployed applications. An attacker who gains access to a locator can extract configuration data that may include database connection strings, security certificates, encryption keys, and other sensitive parameters that could be used for further attacks against the cluster or underlying systems. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using Apache Geode for mission-critical applications where cluster configuration data contains sensitive operational information. The exposure of previously deployed application code represents an additional risk as it may reveal implementation details, business logic, and potential attack vectors that could be leveraged in subsequent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security model of the Geode cluster by allowing unauthorized access to the very configuration that defines how the cluster operates and protects itself.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Apache Geode version 1.4.0 or later where this authorization flaw has been addressed through proper access control implementation. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive network segmentation to limit access to locator nodes, implementing strict firewall rules that restrict locator communication to authorized management systems only, and conducting thorough access control reviews to ensure that only legitimate administrators can access cluster configuration data. Security teams should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized access attempts to locator services and configuration data retrieval activities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and credential access tactics, as it allows attackers to move laterally within the cluster environment and extract sensitive information that could be used for further compromise of the system or network infrastructure.