CVE-2018-17246 in Kibana
Summary
by MITRE
Kibana versions before 6.4.3 and 5.6.13 contain an arbitrary file inclusion flaw in the Console plugin. An attacker with access to the Kibana Console API could send a request that will attempt to execute javascript code. This could possibly lead to an attacker executing arbitrary commands with permissions of the Kibana process on the host system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17246 represents a critical arbitrary file inclusion flaw within the Kibana Console plugin that affects versions prior to 6.4.3 and 5.6.13. This security weakness resides in the way Kibana processes requests through its console interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's file handling mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the Console plugin's inability to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input, allowing unauthorized code execution through crafted requests that manipulate file inclusion parameters.
The technical implementation of this flaw enables attackers to leverage the Kibana Console API as an attack vector for executing arbitrary JavaScript code within the application's runtime environment. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as Path Traversal, and also aligns with CWE-94 which addresses Improper Control of Generation of Code. The attack scenario involves an authenticated user or attacker with access to the Kibana Console API sending malicious requests that exploit the insufficient input validation mechanisms. When Kibana processes these requests, it fails to properly restrict file paths, allowing the system to attempt to include and execute files from unauthorized locations, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could grant attackers the ability to execute arbitrary commands with the same permissions as the Kibana process running on the host system. This presents a significant risk to organizations relying on Kibana for log analysis and monitoring, as the compromised system could serve as a foothold for further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access points through the compromised Kibana instance. From an attacker's perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and T1078 for Valid Accounts, as exploitation typically requires legitimate access to the Kibana Console API, which often involves valid user credentials.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Kibana versions 6.4.3 or 5.6.13, which contain the necessary patches to address the arbitrary file inclusion vulnerability. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit exposure by restricting access to the Kibana Console API to authorized personnel only. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual API requests and file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in application security design, as the flaw could have been prevented through robust parameter validation and restricted file access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to provide additional layers of defense against similar exploitation techniques.