CVE-2017-8443 in X-Pack Security
Summary
by MITRE
In Kibana X-Pack security versions prior to 5.4.3 if a Kibana user opens a crafted Kibana URL the result could be a redirect to an improperly initialized Kibana login screen. If the user enters credentials on this screen, the credentials will appear in the URL bar. The credentials could then be viewed by untrusted parties or logged into the Kibana access logs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-8443 represents a critical security flaw within Kibana X-Pack authentication mechanisms that affected versions prior to 5.4.3. This issue stems from improper handling of authentication redirects within the Kibana web interface, creating a scenario where user credentials could be exposed through URL parameters during the login process. The vulnerability specifically manifests when a Kibana user interacts with a maliciously crafted URL that triggers an improperly initialized login screen, fundamentally undermining the security posture of the authentication system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a redirect mechanism that fails to properly sanitize or validate the authentication context before presenting the login interface. When users encounter such a crafted URL, they are directed to a login screen that has not been properly initialized, causing credentials entered by users to be appended directly to the URL parameters rather than being handled through secure authentication channels. This flaw directly violates security principles related to credential handling and session management, as it exposes sensitive information through the URL structure where it can be easily intercepted or logged.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8443 extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it creates multiple attack vectors for unauthorized access to Kibana systems. The credentials appearing in URL parameters create a persistent security risk since URLs can be cached in browser history, stored in server access logs, or transmitted through various network monitoring tools. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and specifically targets improper information handling during authentication flows. The exposure of credentials through URL parameters also violates the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data within Kibana environments.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe in enterprise environments where Kibana serves as a critical component for data visualization and monitoring. Attackers could leverage this flaw to capture credentials from users who encounter malicious URLs, potentially gaining access to entire Kibana instances and the underlying data they provide access to. This vulnerability also creates indirect risks through log analysis and network monitoring systems that might inadvertently capture and store these exposed credentials, violating the principle of secure information handling as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under credential access techniques.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Kibana X-Pack version 5.4.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the improper redirect handling. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security reviews of all Kibana configurations and implement monitoring for suspicious URL patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network security controls should be enhanced to detect and prevent access to potentially malicious URLs, while user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying URL authenticity before entering credentials. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authentication flow design and the potential consequences of inadequate input validation in web application security contexts.