CVE-2017-17697 in Harbor
Summary
by MITRE
The Ping() function in ui/api/target.go in Harbor through 1.3.0-rc4 has SSRF via the endpoint parameter to /api/targets/ping.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17697 represents a critical server-side request forgery flaw within the Harbor container registry management system. This issue specifically affects versions through 1.3.0-rc4 and resides within the Ping() function located in ui/api/target.go. The vulnerability manifests when the endpoint parameter is submitted to the /api/targets/ping API endpoint, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the system's ability to make outbound network requests to arbitrary destinations. The flaw essentially enables an attacker to trick the Harbor system into initiating connections to internal or external systems that the attacker controls, potentially exposing sensitive infrastructure components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the target endpoint parameter. When users configure external targets for Harbor's replication functionality, the system performs a ping operation to verify connectivity before establishing the actual replication relationship. However, the Ping() function fails to properly validate the endpoint parameter, allowing attackers to inject malicious URLs or IP addresses that can be resolved by the Harbor server. This lack of proper validation creates a path for attackers to leverage the system's network capabilities for unauthorized requests, effectively turning the Harbor instance into an unwitting proxy for external network operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network reconnaissance, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including internal network scanning, data exfiltration, and potentially more sophisticated attacks. An attacker could use the vulnerability to probe internal network segments that the Harbor server can access, potentially uncovering additional systems and services that are normally isolated from external access. The vulnerability also poses risks for organizations that rely on Harbor for container image management, as it could allow unauthorized parties to manipulate replication targets and potentially redirect container image pulls to malicious registries. This could lead to supply chain attacks where compromised images are distributed to downstream systems, affecting the integrity and security posture of the entire container ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17697 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Harbor versions to 1.3.0 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation. Organizations should implement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict outbound connections from Harbor servers, limiting the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. The implementation of proper access controls and authentication measures for API endpoints can help reduce the attack surface, while regular security audits and monitoring of network traffic can help detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network ingress and egress filtering to prevent the Harbor system from communicating with unauthorized external endpoints, aligning with defense-in-depth principles recommended by cybersecurity frameworks such as those outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework where such vulnerabilities are categorized under the 'Initial Access' and 'Command and Control' phases. This vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-918, which addresses server-side request forgery, and demonstrates the importance of proper parameter validation and input sanitization in web applications as emphasized by industry security standards and best practices.