CVE-2017-2714 in FusionSphere OpenStack
Summary
by MITRE
The GaussDB in FusionSphere OpenStack V100R005C10SPC705 and earlier versions has a buffer overflow vulnerability. An authenticated attacker on the LAN can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition in the affected system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2714 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the GaussDB component of FusionSphere OpenStack V100R005C10SPC705 and earlier releases. This issue resides in the database management system that powers the openstack infrastructure, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing this specific version of the platform. The vulnerability manifests as a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when the system processes input data without proper bounds checking, allowing malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who has network access to the local area network where the affected system operates. This authentication requirement reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated exploits but does not eliminate the severity of the issue. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of database operations or administrative commands, where insufficient input validation allows an attacker to craft malicious payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space. This condition can result in arbitrary code execution within the context of the database service, potentially providing attackers with full control over the affected system. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond mere code execution to include denial of service conditions that can render the entire database service unavailable to legitimate users.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a significant concern for enterprise environments relying on cloud infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system. Organizations implementing FusionSphere OpenStack with affected versions face potential data breaches, service disruption, and complete system compromise. The vulnerability's location within the database layer means that successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive operational data, user credentials, and system configurations stored within the GaussDB instance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate system compromise to include long-term security implications for the entire cloud infrastructure. Organizations may experience service interruptions, data loss, and compliance violations if the vulnerability is exploited successfully. The local network access requirement means that attackers must first gain access to the LAN, but once inside the network perimeter, the attack can be devastating. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected FusionSphere OpenStack versions to the latest available releases, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to database services, and deployment of intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious database activity. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their cloud environments to identify other potential vulnerabilities in related components and ensure proper input validation mechanisms are in place across all database interfaces.