CVE-2018-1192 in Cloud Foundry
Summary
by MITRE
In Cloud Foundry Foundation cf-release versions prior to v285; cf-deployment versions prior to v1.7; UAA 4.5.x versions prior to 4.5.5, 4.8.x versions prior to 4.8.3, and 4.7.x versions prior to 4.7.4; and UAA-release 45.7.x versions prior to 45.7, 52.7.x versions prior to 52.7, and 53.3.x versions prior to 53.3, the SessionID is logged in audit event logs. An attacker can use the SessionID to impersonate a logged-in user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-1192 represents a critical security flaw within the Cloud Foundry ecosystem that affects multiple components including cf-release, cf-deployment, and the User Account and Authentication (UAA) service. This issue specifically targets the logging practices of session identifiers within audit event logs, creating a significant attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability exists across multiple versions of the Cloud Foundry platform, with specific affected ranges including cf-release versions prior to v285, cf-deployment versions prior to v1.7, and various UAA versions including 4.5.x prior to 4.5.5, 4.8.x prior to 4.8.3, and 4.7.x prior to 4.7.4, along with corresponding UAA-release versions.
The technical flaw stems from the improper handling of session identifiers within audit logging mechanisms. When users authenticate to Cloud Foundry services, a SessionID is generated to maintain their authenticated state. However, in the affected versions, this SessionID is being logged in plain text within audit event logs without proper sanitization or obfuscation. This practice violates fundamental security principles and creates a direct pathway for session hijacking attacks. The SessionID serves as a critical authentication token that, when exposed through logging mechanisms, allows attackers to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to their accounts and associated resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to perform actions with the privileges and permissions of the compromised user. This includes accessing sensitive application data, modifying configurations, deploying new applications, and potentially escalating privileges within the Cloud Foundry environment. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who gain access to audit logs through various means such as compromised administrative accounts, insecure log storage systems, or through network interception techniques. The exposure of SessionIDs in logs creates a persistent threat that can remain active for extended periods, as long as the logs are retained and accessible to unauthorized parties.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE-532 information exposure weakness, which specifically addresses the improper logging of sensitive information. Additionally, this issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1563.002 for credential access through credential dumping, as the exposed SessionIDs effectively serve as stolen credentials that can be used for unauthorized access. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor adherence to the principle of least privilege and proper input sanitization, as session identifiers should never be logged in plain text format. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of all affected components, implementing log sanitization procedures, and establishing proper access controls for audit log systems. The remediation process should also include reviewing and rotating session identifiers for any potentially compromised users, as well as implementing monitoring systems to detect potential log exposure incidents.