CVE-2017-17665 in Octopus Deploy
Summary
by MITRE
In Octopus Deploy before 4.1.3, the machine update process doesn't check that the user has access to all environments. This allows an access-control bypass because the set of environments to which a machine is scoped may include environments in which the user lacks access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17665 affects Octopus Deploy versions prior to 4.1.3, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of deployment automation platforms. This issue resides within the machine update process where the system fails to validate user permissions against the environments to which a machine is scoped, creating a significant bypass opportunity for unauthorized access. The flaw manifests when administrators or users attempt to update machine configurations, allowing them to potentially assign machines to environments where they do not possess appropriate access rights.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks during the machine update workflow, specifically in the environment scoping validation logic. The system maintains a list of environments to which each machine can be assigned, but fails to verify whether the requesting user has legitimate access to these environments before completing the update operation. This represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability, classified under CWE-285 which deals with improper authorization in software systems. The flaw operates at the application level where user permissions are not properly enforced during resource manipulation operations, creating a scenario where privilege escalation can occur through indirect means.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple access control violations, as it can enable attackers to gain visibility into and potentially compromise environments they should not have access to. An attacker with access to the Octopus Deploy interface could leverage this flaw to assign machines to restricted environments, thereby gaining unauthorized access to deployment targets, sensitive configurations, and potentially critical infrastructure components. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can lead to data exposure, unauthorized deployments, and potential system compromise. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where strict access controls and environment isolation are fundamental security requirements.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the techniques related to privilege escalation and lateral movement. The flaw enables an attacker to effectively bypass access controls that should prevent them from accessing certain environments, potentially allowing them to move laterally through the deployment infrastructure. Organizations using Octopus Deploy should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to version 4.1.3 or later, where the access control validation has been properly implemented. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of machine assignments and environment access controls to identify any potential exploitation that may have already occurred. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in deployment automation platforms where the stakes are high and the attack surface can be extensive.