CVE-2018-8025 in HBase
Summary
by MITRE
CVE-2018-8025 describes an issue in Apache HBase that affects the optional "Thrift 1" API server when running over HTTP. There is a race-condition which could lead to authenticated sessions being incorrectly applied to users, e.g. one authenticated user would be considered a different user or an unauthenticated user would be treated as an authenticated user. https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/HBASE-20664 implements a fix for this issue. It has been fixed in versions: 1.2.6.1, 1.3.2.1, 1.4.5, 2.0.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8025 represents a critical race condition within Apache HBase's optional Thrift 1 API server implementation when operating over HTTP protocols. This flaw exists in the authentication handling mechanisms of the distributed database system, specifically affecting the session management component that governs user access control. The issue stems from improper synchronization mechanisms during the authentication process, where concurrent requests can interfere with each other's session state management, creating a scenario where user identities become miscalculated or misapplied within the system's security framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the application layer where the Thrift 1 API server processes HTTP requests from authenticated users. When multiple concurrent sessions attempt to access the HBase cluster simultaneously, the race condition manifests in the session token validation process, leading to improper authentication state transitions. This flaw falls under CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions in security-sensitive contexts, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege as described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques. The vulnerability allows for unauthorized access to data and operations that should be restricted to specific authenticated users, creating a potential pathway for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8025 extends beyond simple authentication bypass, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the user access control system within Apache HBase deployments. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially impersonate legitimate users or gain unauthorized access to restricted data sets, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where HBase serves as a critical data storage layer for sensitive information. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on HBase's Thrift API for application integration and data access, potentially exposing production databases to unauthorized data manipulation and exfiltration. The race condition could manifest inconsistently, making detection and remediation particularly challenging for security operations teams.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the patches released in Apache HBase versions 1.2.6.1, 1.3.2.1, 1.4.5, and 2.0.1, which address the synchronization issues within the Thrift server implementation. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of their HBase deployments to identify any systems still running vulnerable versions and perform thorough testing of the patched implementations. The mitigation strategy should include monitoring for anomalous authentication patterns and implementing additional logging controls to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened around HBase services, particularly those utilizing the Thrift API, to limit the attack surface and reduce the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts.