CVE-2017-7669 in Hadoop
Summary
by MITRE
In Apache Hadoop 2.8.0, 3.0.0-alpha1, and 3.0.0-alpha2, the LinuxContainerExecutor runs docker commands as root with insufficient input validation. When the docker feature is enabled, authenticated users can run commands as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7669 resides within Apache Hadoop's LinuxContainerExecutor component, which serves as a critical security mechanism for containerized application execution in distributed computing environments. This flaw affects Apache Hadoop versions 2.8.0 and the early alpha releases of version 3.0.0, specifically targeting the container execution framework that enables secure isolation of user applications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the LinuxContainerExecutor when Docker containerization features are enabled, creating a dangerous privilege escalation vector that directly impacts the security posture of Hadoop clusters.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient sanitization of user inputs passed to Docker commands executed by the LinuxContainerExecutor. When users authenticate and submit jobs to the Hadoop cluster, the executor process translates these requests into Docker container operations, but fails to properly validate or sanitize the input parameters before executing these commands. This vulnerability is particularly severe because it operates at the privilege level where the executor runs as root, meaning any authenticated user with access to the Hadoop cluster can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on the underlying host system. The flaw represents a classic command injection vulnerability that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, creating a comprehensive security breach that allows attackers to gain complete control over the host systems running Hadoop containers. An authenticated user can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or disruption of cluster operations. The attack surface is particularly concerning because Hadoop clusters typically run in enterprise environments with sensitive data processing workloads, making successful exploitation a critical security incident that could result in significant data loss or regulatory compliance violations. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and creates a persistent backdoor for malicious actors to maintain access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7669 should focus on immediate patching of affected Hadoop versions to the latest stable releases that address the input validation deficiencies in the LinuxContainerExecutor. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and network segmentation to limit the exposure of Hadoop clusters to untrusted users. Disabling Docker features in Hadoop configurations when not required provides an additional layer of defense, while comprehensive monitoring of container execution activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories related to command injection and improper input validation, and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through containerized environments. Regular security assessments and input validation audits should be conducted to prevent similar issues in other components of the Hadoop ecosystem.