CVE-2019-10091 in Geode
Summary
by MITRE
When TLS is enabled with ssl-endpoint-identification-enabled set to true, Apache Geode fails to perform hostname verification of the entries in the certificate SAN during the SSL handshake. This could compromise intra-cluster communication using a man-in-the-middle attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2024
Apache Geode represents a distributed data management system that relies heavily on secure communication channels between cluster members to maintain data integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-10091 specifically targets the SSL/TLS implementation within this system, where the ssl-endpoint-identification-enabled configuration parameter is set to true. This setting should theoretically enable hostname verification during SSL handshakes, but the flaw prevents the system from properly validating the Subject Alternative Name (SAN) entries within certificates. The technical implementation fails to perform the necessary hostname verification checks that are fundamental to preventing man-in-the-middle attacks, creating a critical security gap in the cluster's communication infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network security concerns, as it directly undermines the trust model that Apache Geode depends upon for secure intra-cluster operations. When hostname verification is disabled or improperly implemented, malicious actors can potentially intercept and manipulate communications between cluster nodes without detection. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through phishing or network infiltration. The flaw essentially allows attackers to present fake certificates that appear legitimate to the system, enabling them to establish connections with cluster members while remaining undetected in the communication flow.
Security professionals must understand that this vulnerability represents a significant risk to data integrity and system availability within Apache Geode deployments. The failure to validate SAN entries during SSL handshakes creates opportunities for attackers to perform sophisticated attacks where they can impersonate legitimate cluster members. This issue particularly affects environments where Apache Geode clusters are configured to use TLS with hostname verification enabled, as the system should be validating certificate details against the expected hostnames. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical gap in the SSL/TLS implementation where the configuration parameter ssl-endpoint-identification-enabled is not properly enforced, potentially allowing attackers to establish unauthorized communication channels that could lead to data exfiltration or system compromise.
Organizations using Apache Geode should immediately implement mitigations that address the root cause of this vulnerability by ensuring proper certificate validation is enforced during SSL handshakes. The recommended approach involves verifying that the ssl-endpoint-identification-enabled parameter is properly configured and that the system correctly validates Subject Alternative Name entries in certificates. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate man-in-the-middle attacks, as well as reviewing certificate management practices to ensure that only legitimate certificates are used within the cluster environment. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper SSL/TLS configuration and validation, particularly in distributed systems where communication security is paramount to overall system integrity.