CVE-2018-1002103 in Minikube
Summary
by MITRE
In Minikube versions 0.3.0-0.29.0, minikube exposes the Kubernetes Dashboard listening on the VM IP at port 30000. In VM environments where the IP is easy to predict, the attacker can use DNS rebinding to indirectly make requests to the Kubernetes Dashboard, create a new Kubernetes Deployment running arbitrary code. If minikube mount is in use, the attacker could also directly access the host filesystem.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-1002103 represents a critical security flaw in minikube versions ranging from 0.3.0 through 0.29.0 that exposes the Kubernetes Dashboard service running within the virtual machine environment. This vulnerability stems from the default configuration where the Kubernetes Dashboard binds to the VM's IP address at port 30000, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by remote adversaries. The exposed service operates without proper authentication mechanisms, allowing unauthorized users to gain access to the dashboard interface and potentially escalate their privileges within the containerized environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on DNS rebinding techniques that exploit the predictable nature of VM IP addresses within certain network environments. When an attacker can predict the VM's IP address, they can manipulate DNS responses to redirect traffic through a controlled network path that ultimately reaches the exposed Kubernetes Dashboard service. This method allows attackers to bypass traditional network segmentation controls and directly interact with the dashboard interface. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to create new Kubernetes deployments containing malicious code, effectively allowing them to execute arbitrary commands within the cluster environment. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a severe lack of proper access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential complete system compromise when combined with the minikube mount functionality. When minikube mount is active, the vulnerability becomes even more severe as attackers can directly access the host filesystem through the exposed dashboard service. This dual attack vector creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges beyond the container environment and potentially gain access to sensitive host-level data and resources. The vulnerability affects organizations that use minikube for development and testing purposes, creating a risk that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to development environments that may contain sensitive data or serve as entry points to production systems. The exposure of the dashboard service without proper authentication creates a persistent threat that remains active until the vulnerable version is updated or the service is properly secured.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-1002103 should focus on immediate version upgrades to minikube 0.29.1 or later, which contain patches addressing the exposed dashboard service. Organizations should implement network segmentation controls that prevent external access to the VM's IP address and port 30000. The use of minikube mount functionality should be carefully evaluated and restricted in environments where security is a concern. Network access controls should be implemented to block external traffic to the exposed dashboard service, and proper authentication mechanisms should be configured for any dashboard access. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to the Kubernetes Dashboard service. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their containerized development environments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of their infrastructure.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a classic example of inadequate privilege management in containerized environments. The attack pattern follows ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and initial access through service exploitation, specifically targeting the Kubernetes dashboard as a vector for gaining unauthorized access to container orchestration platforms. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper service configuration and access controls in cloud-native environments where development tools may inadvertently expose critical services to unauthorized users. Organizations should implement comprehensive security policies that govern the use of development tools and ensure that security considerations are integrated into the development lifecycle from the beginning.