CVE-2017-7519 in Ceph
Summary
by MITRE
In Ceph, a format string flaw was found in the way libradosstriper parses input from user. A user could crash an application or service using the libradosstriper library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7519 represents a critical format string flaw within the Ceph distributed storage system's libradosstriper library. This library serves as a crucial component for handling striped object operations in Ceph environments, where it processes user input to manage data distribution across multiple storage nodes. The flaw manifests when the library fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before using them in format string operations, creating an avenue for malicious input manipulation that can lead to arbitrary code execution or service disruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-134, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities where attacker-controlled data is used as a format string parameter. In the context of Ceph's libradosstriper, this occurs when user-provided data containing format specifiers is processed without proper validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious format string sequences. These sequences can trigger buffer overflows, information disclosure, or control flow manipulation within the target application. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of input validation and string processing functions, where the library's parsing mechanism does not adequately distinguish between legitimate format string directives and potentially harmful user-supplied content.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to Ceph storage deployments as it can be exploited by unauthorized users to crash applications or services that utilize the libradosstriper library. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks depending on the application environment and memory layout. When exploited successfully, the format string flaw can cause denial of service conditions that compromise the availability of critical storage services, potentially affecting data access for legitimate users and disrupting business operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-tenant environments where one compromised user could potentially affect other users' access to storage resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7519 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Ceph versions, as the primary solution involves updating the libradosstriper library to properly validate and sanitize all user input before format string processing. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures that reject or escape format specifiers in user-supplied data, particularly when this data is intended for use in printf-style functions. Network segmentation and access controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to limit potential exploitation vectors. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, emphasizing the need for proper application hardening and input sanitization practices. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on format string handling should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of the storage infrastructure, particularly considering that such flaws often indicate broader issues in input validation practices across the system.