CVE-2018-10867 in redhat-certification
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2021
It has been discovered that redhat-certification does not restrict file access in the /update/results page. A remote attacker could use this vulnerability to remove any file accessible by the user which is running httpd. This flaw affects redhat-certification version 7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10867 represents a critical access control flaw within the redhat-certification application version 7, specifically manifesting in the /update/results page functionality. This issue stems from inadequate file access restrictions that allow unauthorized remote attackers to exploit the system's file manipulation capabilities. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and permission controls that should normally prevent arbitrary file operations. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at the web application level where the httpd service is running, creating a direct pathway for attackers to execute malicious file operations against the underlying system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows a remote attacker to leverage the application's update results page to perform unauthorized file removal operations. The flaw specifically targets the user context under which the httpd service operates, meaning attackers can potentially delete files that are accessible to this service account. This represents a classic privilege escalation scenario where web application level access translates into system-level file manipulation capabilities. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates without proper authentication checks or authorization verification before executing file operations, creating a direct attack surface for malicious actors.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system integrity and data availability within environments using redhat-certification version 7. The ability to remove arbitrary files accessible to the httpd user creates potential for system compromise, data loss, and service disruption. Attackers could exploit this flaw to delete critical system files, configuration data, or certification-related information that would severely impact the certification process and system functionality. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the web application is exposed to external traffic.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path) categories, representing improper access control mechanisms that allow unrestricted file operations. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1486 (Data Encrypted for Ransom) when considering the potential for data destruction or encryption. The flaw also demonstrates characteristics of T1566 (Phishing) as attackers might use this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain following initial compromise through social engineering or other initial access vectors. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, proper file access controls, and restriction of file operations to authorized users only.
The recommended remediation approach involves implementing strict file access controls within the /update/results page functionality, ensuring that all file operations are properly authenticated and authorized. System administrators should review and restrict the permissions of the httpd user account to minimize potential damage from exploitation. Additionally, input validation mechanisms should be implemented to prevent path traversal attacks and ensure that all file operations occur within designated safe directories. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious file operation requests, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar access control vulnerabilities within their certification and web application environments. The vulnerability underscores the importance of principle of least privilege and proper access control implementation in web applications to prevent unauthorized file system operations.