CVE-2017-4974 in Cloud Foundry
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Cloud Foundry Foundation cf-release versions prior to v258; UAA release 2.x versions prior to v2.7.4.15, 3.6.x versions prior to v3.6.9, 3.9.x versions prior to v3.9.11, and other versions prior to v3.16.0; and UAA bosh release (uaa-release) 13.x versions prior to v13.13, 24.x versions prior to v24.8, and other versions prior to v30.1. An authorized user can use a blind SQL injection attack to query the contents of the UAA database, aka "Blind SQL Injection with privileged UAA endpoints."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-4974 represents a critical blind SQL injection flaw within the User Account and Authentication (UAA) component of Cloud Foundry's infrastructure. This security weakness affects multiple versions of the cf-release and UAA bosh release, specifically targeting UAA releases 2.x prior to v2.7.4.15, 3.6.x prior to v3.6.9, 3.9.x prior to v3.9.11, and various other versions before v3.16.0, along with uaa-release versions 13.x before v13.13, 24.x before v24.8, and other versions before v30.1. The flaw resides in privileged UAA endpoints that handle authentication and authorization requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit database access through carefully crafted SQL queries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a blind SQL injection attack vector where an authenticated user can manipulate input parameters to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. This type of attack is classified as a blind injection because the attacker cannot directly observe the database query results in the application's response, requiring them to infer information through indirect means such as response timing variations or conditional responses. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within privileged UAA endpoints, meaning that even authorized users with legitimate credentials can leverage this flaw to escalate their access and extract sensitive information from the database. The attack exploits the improper sanitization of user inputs that flow into database queries, allowing attackers to construct malicious SQL statements that bypass normal authentication checks and gain unauthorized access to stored procedures and data.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-4974 extends far beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive user credentials, authentication tokens, and other critical information stored within the UAA database. This vulnerability directly violates several security principles including confidentiality and integrity, as unauthorized access to authentication data can lead to complete system compromise. The attack can result in credential theft, session hijacking, and potential lateral movement within the Cloud Foundry environment. According to CWE-89, this vulnerability maps directly to the CWE-89 category for SQL injection, while the specific use of privileged endpoints aligns with ATT&CK techniques such as credential access and privilege escalation. Organizations running affected versions of Cloud Foundry are at significant risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors who have gained initial access to the system through other means.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-4974 require immediate patching of all affected UAA releases to their respective secure versions, including upgrading to UAA release 2.7.4.15 or later for 2.x versions, 3.6.9 or later for 3.6.x versions, 3.9.11 or later for 3.9.x versions, and 3.16.0 or later for other affected versions. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Network segmentation and monitoring of UAA endpoint access should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of database access controls and implement proper logging mechanisms to track privileged UAA endpoint interactions. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping authentication systems updated and properly secured, as these components form the foundation of any secure cloud infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to provide defense-in-depth against similar injection attacks.