CVE-2019-10141 in openstack-ironic-inspector
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability was found in openstack-ironic-inspector all versions excluding 5.0.2, 6.0.3, 7.2.4, 8.0.3 and 8.2.1. A SQL-injection vulnerability was found in openstack-ironic-inspector's node_cache.find_node(). This function makes a SQL query using unfiltered data from a server reporting inspection results (by a POST to the /v1/continue endpoint). Because the API is unauthenticated, the flaw could be exploited by an attacker with access to the network on which ironic-inspector is listening. Because of how ironic-inspector uses the query results, it is unlikely that data could be obtained. However, the attacker could pass malicious data and create a denial of service.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2019-10141 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the openstack-ironic-inspector component that affects multiple versions prior to specific patches. This vulnerability resides in the node_cache.find_node() function which processes inspection results from server reporting through the unauthenticated /v1/continue API endpoint. The flaw emerges from insufficient input validation and sanitization when incorporating data from external sources into SQL queries, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database operations. The openstack-ironic-inspector serves as a crucial component in OpenStack's bare metal provisioning infrastructure, collecting and processing hardware inspection data from nodes being deployed or managed within cloud environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the unauthenticated POST request to the /v1/continue endpoint where inspection data is submitted by nodes undergoing hardware assessment. The node_cache.find_node() function directly incorporates this data into SQL queries without proper parameterization or filtering mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL payloads through crafted inspection result data. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 SQL Injection as defined by the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically manifesting as an implementation flaw where user-controllable input is improperly handled in database query construction. The attack vector requires only network access to the ironic-inspector service, making it particularly dangerous in environments where such services are exposed to untrusted networks or where network segmentation is inadequate.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to encompass significant availability and system stability risks. While the primary concern involves potential denial of service conditions through malformed SQL injection payloads that could crash database connections or cause query execution failures, the broader implications include the possibility of system disruption during critical bare metal provisioning operations. The ironic-inspector service plays a pivotal role in OpenStack's Ironic project which manages bare metal node lifecycle operations, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for cloud infrastructure administrators who rely on automated provisioning workflows. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to disrupt node inspection processes, potentially causing cascading failures in automated deployment pipelines and service availability during critical maintenance windows.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-10141 focus primarily on applying the vendor-provided patches that address the specific SQL injection vulnerability in the node_cache.find_node() function. Organizations should immediately upgrade to versions 5.0.2, 6.0.3, 7.2.4, 8.0.3, or 8.2.1 which contain the necessary code modifications to properly sanitize input data before database query construction. Network-level protections should include restricting access to the ironic-inspector service through firewalls and access control lists, limiting exposure to trusted network segments only. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application as it represents an exploitation of an unauthenticated API endpoint that is part of a public-facing service. Additional defensive measures include implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous API request patterns, establishing database query logging for suspicious activities, and conducting regular security assessments of OpenStack components to identify similar input validation weaknesses. Organizations should also consider implementing rate limiting and authentication mechanisms where possible to further reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation attempts.