CVE-2017-5649 in Geode
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Geode before 1.1.1, when a cluster has enabled security by setting the security-manager property, allows remote authenticated users with CLUSTER:READ but not DATA:READ permission to access the data browser page in Pulse and consequently execute an OQL query that exposes data stored in the cluster.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2020
Apache Geode version 1.1.0 and earlier contains a critical authorization bypass vulnerability that undermines the security model of the distributed data management system. This vulnerability specifically affects clusters configured with security enabled through the security-manager property, creating a dangerous privilege escalation scenario where authenticated users with limited permissions can bypass data access controls. The flaw exists within the Pulse web interface, which serves as the administrative dashboard for Apache Geode clusters, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to extract sensitive data from distributed systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control validation within the Pulse data browser component. When a cluster enables security through the security-manager property, it should enforce strict authorization checks that prevent users from accessing data they are not authorized to read. However, the vulnerability allows authenticated users who possess CLUSTER:READ permission but lack DATA:READ permission to navigate to the Pulse data browser page and execute Object Query Language (OQL) queries against the cluster's data stores. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the authorization framework's implementation. The OQL query execution capability provides attackers with the ability to extract information from the distributed data grid without proper authorization, effectively bypassing the security controls that should prevent such data exposure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage, as it enables attackers to perform reconnaissance and potentially extract sensitive information from the cluster. An attacker with CLUSTER:READ permission can leverage this vulnerability to gather detailed information about the data structure, volume, and potentially sensitive content stored within the Apache Geode cluster. This information can then be used to plan more sophisticated attacks against the system, including targeting specific data elements or identifying potential data sources for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Apache Geode for mission-critical applications where data confidentiality is paramount, potentially leading to data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and significant financial losses.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Apache Geode version 1.1.1 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the fix addresses the underlying authorization bypass in the Pulse web interface. Additionally, security administrators should review their cluster configurations to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the Pulse interface and that proper role-based access controls are implemented. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically representing an improper access control scenario where insufficient authorization checks allow privilege escalation. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1087 Account Discovery and T1046 Network Service Scanning tactics, as attackers can use this vulnerability to discover and extract data from network services. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to Pulse interfaces and consider disabling Pulse entirely in production environments where it is not required for operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing, particularly for administrative interfaces that may bypass normal application security controls and highlights the critical need for proper authorization validation in distributed systems.