CVE-2018-10929 in glusterfs Server
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in RPC request using gfs2_create_req in glusterfs server. An authenticated attacker could use this flaw to create arbitrary files and execute arbitrary code on glusterfs server nodes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10929 represents a critical security flaw within the GlusterFS distributed file system implementation, specifically within the gfs2_create_req RPC request handler. This issue affects the server-side components of GlusterFS, which is widely deployed in enterprise environments for providing scalable storage solutions across distributed networks. The flaw exists in the way the system processes file creation requests through the Generic File System 2 (GFS2) protocol implementation, creating an avenue for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the RPC request processing pipeline. When an authenticated user submits a gfs2_create_req request to a GlusterFS server node, the system fails to properly validate the file path parameters and creation permissions. This allows an attacker to manipulate the request parameters to specify arbitrary file paths that would normally be restricted or protected. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22, which addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. The flaw essentially permits an authenticated user to bypass normal file system access controls and create files in directories where they would not normally have write permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations relying on GlusterFS deployments. An authenticated attacker who gains access to the GlusterFS service can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the affected server nodes with the privileges of the GlusterFS service account. This creates a significant attack surface that could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent access within the network. The vulnerability affects systems where GlusterFS is configured with default settings and authentication mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in environments where proper network segmentation is not implemented. Organizations using GlusterFS in production environments without proper monitoring and access controls face substantial risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application and operational security improvements. The primary solution involves updating to GlusterFS versions that contain the fix for the RPC request validation issue, typically released as part of the 3.12.17 or later releases. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to restrict access to GlusterFS server nodes, ensuring that only authorized services and administrators can communicate with the file system servers. Additional security measures include enabling strict authentication mechanisms, implementing comprehensive monitoring of file system access patterns, and conducting regular security audits of GlusterFS configurations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers execution through command and scripting interpreter, and T1078, which addresses valid accounts for persistence and privilege escalation. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual file creation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.