CVE-2017-5654 in Ambari
Summary
by MITRE
In Ambari 2.4.x (before 2.4.3) and Ambari 2.5.0, an authorized user of the Ambari Hive View may be able to gain unauthorized read access to files on the host where the Ambari server executes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5654 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw in Apache Ambari's Hive View component affecting versions 2.4.x prior to 2.4.3 and 2.5.0. This security weakness allows authenticated users to escalate their privileges and access files on the host system where the Ambari server is executing, potentially compromising the entire underlying infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the Hive View's file handling operations, creating a pathway for unauthorized data exfiltration and system reconnaissance.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper sanitization of user-supplied parameters within the Hive View's file access functions. When an authorized user interacts with the Hive View interface, the system fails to properly validate or restrict file path traversal operations, enabling malicious input to bypass normal access controls. This flaw operates at the application level and leverages the elevated privileges of authenticated users to access system resources that should remain restricted. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. The flaw demonstrates characteristics of privilege escalation through inadequate access control validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5654 extends beyond simple data theft, as unauthorized file access can lead to comprehensive system compromise. Attackers could potentially access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, system logs, and other critical data stored on the Ambari server host. This access could facilitate further attacks including lateral movement within the network, credential harvesting, and establishment of persistent access points. The vulnerability affects distributed systems management environments where Ambari serves as the central management interface for big data platforms, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where data security and system integrity are paramount.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Ambari versions 2.4.3 or 2.5.1, which contain the necessary patches to address the path traversal issue. Network segmentation and access control policies should be strengthened to limit the scope of potential exploitation, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous file access patterns. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the updated systems to ensure that the vulnerability is fully resolved. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of their Ambari installations to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement proper logging and alerting mechanisms. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical infrastructure management systems.