CVE-2017-7687 in Mesos
Summary
by MITRE
When handling a decoding failure for a malformed URL path of an HTTP request, libprocess in Apache Mesos before 1.1.3, 1.2.x before 1.2.2, 1.3.x before 1.3.1, and 1.4.0-dev might crash because the code accidentally calls inappropriate function. A malicious actor can therefore cause a denial of service of Mesos masters rendering the Mesos-controlled cluster inoperable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7687 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Apache Mesos distributed computing framework. This issue manifests when the libprocess component encounters malformed URL paths in HTTP requests, specifically during the decoding process where the system fails to handle error conditions properly. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Apache Mesos including releases before 1.1.3, 1.2.x before 1.2.2, 1.3.x before 1.3.1, and the development version 1.4.0. The flaw stems from improper error handling mechanisms that cause the system to invoke inappropriate functions when processing malformed input, leading to unexpected program termination.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a specific code path within the libprocess library where URL decoding operations fail to properly validate input parameters. When a malformed URL path is received through an HTTP request, the system attempts to decode the path but encounters a condition that triggers an incorrect function call sequence. This improper function invocation results in a crash of the Mesos master process, effectively taking the entire cluster management system offline. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication or specialized privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where cluster availability is paramount. This issue maps directly to CWE-248, which addresses "Uncaught Exception" conditions in software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks targeting infrastructure components.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7687 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass complete cluster inoperability within Apache Mesos environments. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause Mesos master processes to crash repeatedly, leading to extended downtime for cluster management operations. The affected systems become unable to process new tasks, manage resources, or maintain cluster state consistency, effectively rendering the entire distributed computing environment unusable. Organizations relying on Mesos for container orchestration and resource management face significant operational challenges including potential loss of compute capacity, disruption of scheduled workloads, and extended recovery times. The vulnerability's exploitability through simple HTTP requests means that any system exposed to network traffic could be compromised, making it particularly dangerous in cloud and enterprise environments where Mesos clusters are commonly deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7687 focus primarily on upgrading affected Apache Mesos installations to patched versions. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Apache Mesos 1.1.3, 1.2.2, 1.3.1, or later development releases that contain the necessary code fixes. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and rate limiting mechanisms can help reduce the attack surface by filtering malformed requests before they reach the vulnerable components. Implementing proper input validation at the application boundary and deploying monitoring solutions to detect unusual crash patterns can provide early warning signs of potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing redundant Mesos master configurations to maintain availability during patching operations and ensure that security updates are applied systematically across all cluster components. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution risk underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing comprehensive vulnerability management processes within distributed computing environments.