CVE-2017-8194 in FusionSphere OpenStack
Summary
by MITRE
The FusionSphere OpenStack V100R006C00SPC102(NFV) has an improper authentication vulnerability. Due to improper authentication on one port, an authenticated, remote attacker may exploit the vulnerability to execute more operations by send a crafted rest message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2023
The FusionSphere OpenStack V100R006C00SPC102(NFV) platform presents a critical improper authentication vulnerability that compromises the security posture of cloud infrastructure deployments. This vulnerability specifically affects one port within the system where authentication mechanisms fail to properly validate incoming requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges and perform unauthorized operations. The issue stems from inadequate access control enforcement on a specific communication endpoint, allowing attackers with initial authenticated access to manipulate the system through crafted rest messages.
The technical flaw manifests as a breakdown in the authentication process where the system fails to properly validate the identity and authorization level of entities attempting to access restricted functionalities. This weakness operates at the application layer and specifically targets the REST API interface that governs system operations. The vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to bypass normal access controls by crafting specially formatted REST messages that exploit the improper authentication mechanism. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to execute a wide range of malicious operations within the cloud environment. Once an attacker gains access through the vulnerable port, they can potentially manipulate virtual machine configurations, access sensitive data, modify network settings, and compromise the integrity of the entire NFV deployment. The remote nature of the attack vector means that threat actors do not require physical access to the infrastructure, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for cloud service providers and enterprises relying on FusionSphere platforms.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1078 for valid accounts and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The attack chain typically begins with an initial authenticated access point, followed by exploitation of the authentication bypass to perform unauthorized operations. Organizations should implement comprehensive network segmentation to isolate critical components and monitor for unusual REST API activity patterns. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper access control implementation and the need for regular security assessments of cloud infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch deployment from Huawei to address the authentication flaw, implementation of network access controls to restrict access to the vulnerable port, and enhanced monitoring of REST API calls for suspicious activity. Organizations should also conduct thorough access control reviews to ensure proper authorization enforcement across all system interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of following security best practices such as principle of least privilege and defense in depth approaches to protect against similar authentication bypass scenarios in cloud environments.