CVE-2017-9796 in Geode
Summary
by MITRE
When an Apache Geode cluster before v1.3.0 is operating in secure mode, a user with read access to specific regions within a Geode cluster may execute OQL queries containing a region name as a bind parameter that allow read access to objects within unauthorized regions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2019
Apache Geode is a distributed data management platform that provides real-time, consistent data access for applications. When operating in secure mode, Geode implements access control mechanisms to protect data within regions, which are logical containers for data storage. The vulnerability in question affects versions prior to 1.3.0 where a security flaw exists in the Object Query Language (OQL) processing functionality. This vulnerability specifically manifests when a user with read access to certain regions attempts to execute OQL queries that utilize region names as bind parameters. The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation of region access controls during OQL query execution, allowing malicious users to construct queries that bypass normal access restrictions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables privilege escalation attacks within the Geode cluster. An attacker with read permissions to one region can potentially access data from unauthorized regions through carefully crafted OQL queries that leverage the bind parameter functionality. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and can lead to data exposure, information disclosure, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates silently without generating obvious error messages or alerts, making detection difficult. It can be exploited through various attack vectors including direct client connections to the Geode cluster or through applications that interface with the cluster using OQL queries.
The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically related to insufficient access control validation during query execution. This weakness allows unauthorized data access through the query interface, violating the fundamental security principle that access controls should be enforced at all levels of data access. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to TA0006 Credential Access and TA0007 Discovery, as it enables attackers to gain access to unauthorized data and discover the structure and contents of protected regions. The vulnerability also relates to T1083 File and Directory Discovery and T1213 Data from Information Repositories, as it allows attackers to enumerate and extract data from unauthorized sources within the cluster.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Apache Geode version 1.3.0 or later where this vulnerability has been patched. The fix implements proper validation of region access controls during OQL query processing, ensuring that bind parameters cannot be used to access unauthorized regions. Additionally, administrators should review and tighten access controls for all Geode clusters, implementing the principle of least privilege and regularly auditing access permissions. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on suspicious OQL query execution patterns, particularly those involving unexpected region access patterns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of Geode clusters should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the access control mechanisms.