CVE-2018-12466 in openbuildservice
Summary
by MITRE
openSUSE openbuildservice before 9.2.4 allowed authenticated users to delete packages on specific projects with project links.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12466 affects openSUSE OpenBuildService versions prior to 9.2.4, representing a critical authorization flaw that permits authenticated users to perform unauthorized package deletion operations within specific project environments. This vulnerability specifically targets projects that utilize project links, creating a pathway for malicious actors with legitimate credentials to compromise package integrity and availability. The flaw stems from insufficient access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate user permissions when operating on linked projects, allowing privilege escalation through legitimate authentication channels.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user who possesses valid credentials within the OpenBuildService environment. The attacker must target projects that have been configured with project links, which are typically used to establish relationships between different project hierarchies or to share resources across multiple project structures. When a user attempts to delete packages within these linked project contexts, the system fails to properly verify whether the user has the necessary administrative privileges for the target project. This authorization bypass occurs because the system does not adequately cross-reference user permissions against the specific project hierarchy when project links are involved, creating a gap in the access control matrix that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized package deletion, potentially compromising the entire software development lifecycle within affected environments. Organizations relying on OpenBuildService for continuous integration and delivery processes face significant risks including disruption of build pipelines, potential loss of critical software artifacts, and compromise of software supply chain integrity. The vulnerability can be particularly damaging in enterprise settings where multiple teams collaborate on shared projects, as it allows attackers to remove packages that may be essential for downstream builds or deployments. Additionally, the deletion of packages can result in broken dependencies, failed builds, and potential security gaps if the removed packages contained critical updates or patches.
Security professionals should note this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) as it exploits legitimate authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to resources. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of privilege escalation through inadequate authorization checks, particularly in complex project management systems that utilize hierarchical structures and project linking features. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to OpenBuildService version 9.2.4 or later, which includes proper access control validation for project link operations, and conducting comprehensive audits of project link configurations to identify potentially vulnerable project structures. Additional protective measures include implementing role-based access controls, monitoring deletion activities, and establishing automated alerts for package removal operations within linked projects to detect and respond to unauthorized activities promptly.