CVE-2017-8195 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 fundamentally compromises the security posture of the system. This vulnerability resides within the authentication mechanisms of a specific port within the NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) environment, creating an exploitable weakness that allows authenticated remote attackers to escalate their privileges and execute unauthorized operations. The flaw represents a significant deviation from proper access control principles where the system fails to adequately validate authentication credentials for certain REST API endpoints, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass intended security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication checks on a designated port within the OpenStack infrastructure, specifically within the NFV component of the FusionSphere platform. When an authenticated attacker successfully establishes a connection to this vulnerable port, they can manipulate REST messages to perform operations that should require higher privilege levels or additional authentication layers. This represents a classic case of inadequate input validation and authentication enforcement, where the system's authorization mechanisms are bypassed through carefully crafted requests that exploit the weak authentication flow. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the REST API communication protocol, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited over network connections without requiring physical access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model of the entire NFV infrastructure. An attacker who gains access to any valid credentials for the system can potentially execute arbitrary operations with elevated privileges, including but not limited to creating new users, modifying system configurations, accessing sensitive data, or disrupting service availability. This vulnerability directly affects the integrity and confidentiality of the virtualized network functions, which are critical components in modern telecommunications and enterprise environments. The implications are particularly severe in NFV contexts where the system manages virtual network functions that may control critical network infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to compromise entire network domains.
Organizations implementing this version of FusionSphere OpenStack should immediately implement mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to the vulnerable port, enhanced monitoring of REST API access patterns, and immediate deployment of vendor-provided patches. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in cybersecurity frameworks. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and command execution, potentially enabling attackers to move laterally within the network environment. The security community should also consider this vulnerability as a potential indicator of broader authentication weaknesses within the OpenStack deployment, warranting comprehensive security assessments of the entire platform to identify additional potential attack vectors and ensure proper implementation of access control mechanisms.