CVE-2017-5642 in Ambari
Summary
by MITRE
During installation of Ambari 2.4.0 through 2.4.2, Ambari Server artifacts are not created with proper ACLs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5642 affects Apache Ambari versions 2.4.0 through 2.4.2 during the installation process. This issue stems from improper access control list configurations when Ambari Server artifacts are created, potentially exposing sensitive system components to unauthorized access. The flaw represents a critical security oversight in the software deployment mechanism that could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of distributed systems managed through Ambari.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the installation phase when Ambari Server components are being set up on target systems. Specifically, the artifact creation process fails to establish appropriate discretionary access controls that should normally govern file and directory permissions. This misconfiguration allows for potential privilege escalation scenarios where unauthorized users or processes might gain access to sensitive Ambari server files, configurations, or data that should remain restricted to authorized administrators only.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple permission misconfigurations to potentially enable broader system compromise within Hadoop environments managed by Ambari. Attackers who can exploit this weakness may gain access to Ambari server credentials, cluster configurations, or other sensitive operational data that could facilitate further attacks within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using Ambari for managing large-scale Hadoop deployments where the server acts as a central management point for distributed computing resources.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-732, which addresses inadequate permissions for critical resources, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068 for bypassing security measures. The flaw essentially creates a path for lateral movement within systems where Ambari is deployed, as compromised server artifacts could provide attackers with information needed to escalate privileges or access other system components. Organizations implementing Ambari for cluster management should consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks targeting their big data infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5642 involve immediate patching of affected Ambari installations to versions that properly implement access control measures during artifact creation. System administrators should also conduct thorough permission audits of existing Ambari server installations to identify and correct any improper access controls that may have been established during the vulnerable installation process. Additionally, implementing proper monitoring and alerting mechanisms for unauthorized access attempts to Ambari server components can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and additional access controls around Ambari server deployments to limit potential damage from this and similar vulnerabilities.