CVE-2018-8007 in CouchDB
Summary
by MITRE
Apache CouchDB administrative users can configure the database server via HTTP(S). Due to insufficient validation of administrator-supplied configuration settings via the HTTP API, it is possible for a CouchDB administrator user to escalate their privileges to that of the operating system's user that CouchDB runs under, by bypassing the blacklist of configuration settings that are not allowed to be modified via the HTTP API. This privilege escalation effectively allows an existing CouchDB admin user to gain arbitrary remote code execution, bypassing already disclosed CVE-2017-12636. Mitigation: All users should upgrade to CouchDB releases 1.7.2 or 2.1.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2023
Apache CouchDB represents a document-oriented NoSQL database system that operates through an HTTP(S) interface, making it accessible over networks and enabling administrators to configure server settings programmatically. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8007 specifically targets the administrative functionality of CouchDB by exploiting insufficient validation mechanisms within the HTTP API configuration endpoints. This flaw exists in the way CouchDB validates configuration parameters submitted by administrative users, creating a path for privilege escalation that bypasses existing security controls.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper validation of configuration settings that administrators can modify through the HTTP API. While CouchDB maintains a blacklist of configuration parameters that should not be modifiable via the HTTP interface, the vulnerability allows authenticated administrative users to bypass this blacklist mechanism. This bypass enables attackers to modify critical system-level parameters that should remain restricted, ultimately allowing them to escalate privileges to the operating system user account under which CouchDB operates. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of CWE-20, which covers improper input validation, and CWE-269, which addresses improper privilege management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and directly enables arbitrary remote code execution capabilities for existing CouchDB administrative users. Once an attacker gains access to administrative credentials, they can leverage this privilege escalation to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the CouchDB service account. This effectively transforms a standard administrative compromise into a full system compromise, bypassing previously disclosed vulnerabilities such as CVE-2017-12636 which addressed similar privilege escalation concerns. The attack vector requires only HTTP(S) network access and valid administrative credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is exposed to untrusted networks.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2018-8007 involves upgrading to patched versions of CouchDB, specifically releases 1.7.2 or 2.1.2, which contain proper validation mechanisms to prevent the bypass of configuration parameter restrictions. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including network segmentation to limit access to CouchDB administrative endpoints, strict access controls for administrative accounts, and regular monitoring of configuration changes through audit logs. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining robust input validation and privilege separation in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through the exploitation of system configuration vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls and regular security assessments to identify similar validation gaps in other database management systems and web applications.