CVE-2017-7513 in Satellite
Summary
by MITRE
It was found that Satellite 5 configured with SSL/TLS for the PostgreSQL backend failed to correctly validate X.509 server certificate host name fields. A man-in-the-middle attacker could use this flaw to spoof a PostgreSQL server using a specially crafted X.509 certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-7513 represents a critical certificate validation flaw within Red Hat Satellite 5's PostgreSQL backend SSL/TLS implementation. This issue specifically targets the hostname verification process during SSL/TLS connections, where the system fails to properly validate X.509 certificate host name fields. The flaw exists in the certificate validation logic that should ensure the certificate presented by the PostgreSQL server matches the expected hostname of the target server. When this validation is bypassed, it creates an avenue for sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise the integrity of database communications. The vulnerability affects systems where Satellite 5 is configured to use SSL/TLS encryption for PostgreSQL backend connections, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments that rely on database security for critical operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper implementation of hostname validation within the SSL/TLS handshake process. According to CWE-295, this represents a weakness in certificate validation where the system fails to properly verify that the certificate's subject name matches the target server's hostname. The flaw allows attackers to craft X.509 certificates that appear valid to the Satellite 5 system but are actually issued for different hostnames, enabling them to impersonate legitimate PostgreSQL servers. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1046 which involves the use of man-in-the-middle attacks to intercept and manipulate communications. The improper validation occurs during the certificate chain verification phase, where the system should be performing strict hostname matching against the certificate's Subject Alternative Name (SAN) or Common Name (CN) fields.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of database communications within Satellite 5 environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can establish a false PostgreSQL server that appears legitimate to the Satellite 5 system, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data, system credentials, and other critical information stored in the database. The attack vector requires the adversary to be positioned within the network traffic path between Satellite 5 and the PostgreSQL server, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network segmentation is insufficient. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of database communications, potentially enabling data exfiltration, injection attacks, and privilege escalation scenarios that could compromise the entire Satellite 5 infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7513 should focus on implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms and strengthening the overall SSL/TLS security posture of Satellite 5 environments. Organizations should ensure that all PostgreSQL certificates used in Satellite 5 deployments undergo proper validation including strict hostname checking against certificate subject names and subject alternative names. The implementation should follow industry best practices such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and certificate validation. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing certificate pinning mechanisms to prevent the use of unauthorized certificates, and establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous certificate usage patterns. Regular security audits should verify that certificate validation is properly enforced and that all systems are using up-to-date SSL/TLS libraries that properly implement RFC 6125 hostname verification requirements. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential man-in-the-middle attack attempts that could exploit this vulnerability.