CVE-2019-10176 in Container Platform
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in OpenShift Container Platform, versions 3.11 and later, in which the CSRF tokens used in the cluster console component were found to remain static during a user's session. An attacker with the ability to observe the value of this token would be able to re-use the token to perform a CSRF attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10176 represents a critical security flaw in the OpenShift Container Platform affecting versions 3.11 and later. This issue specifically impacts the cluster console component where CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) protection mechanisms were inadequately implemented. The flaw manifests as static CSRF tokens that persist throughout a user session, fundamentally undermining the security controls designed to prevent unauthorized actions. This vulnerability exposes organizations running OpenShift deployments to significant risks as it allows attackers to bypass essential web application security protections.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from improper token management within the OpenShift console authentication system. When users authenticate to the cluster console, the system generates CSRF tokens to validate the authenticity of requests. However, in the affected versions, these tokens do not refresh or change during active user sessions, creating a persistent security weakness. The static nature of these tokens means that once an attacker obtains a valid token through observation or interception, they can reuse it multiple times to execute malicious actions on behalf of authenticated users. This issue directly relates to CWE-352, which defines Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities where the application fails to properly validate the source of requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables attackers to perform unauthorized administrative actions within the OpenShift environment. An attacker who successfully observes a CSRF token could potentially delete projects, modify configurations, create new users, or manipulate container deployments. The implications are particularly severe in multi-tenant environments where unauthorized access could lead to data breaches, service disruption, or complete compromise of the container platform. This vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the entire OpenShift cluster, potentially allowing attackers to gain persistent access to critical infrastructure components.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of OpenShift Container Platform where the CSRF token generation has been properly implemented with session-based token rotation. Security teams should also consider implementing additional network-level controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that CSRF tokens are properly regenerated for each user session and that the console component correctly validates request origins. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper session management and token handling in container orchestration platforms, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering or network monitoring attacks. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their container environments to identify similar token management weaknesses in other components and ensure adherence to secure coding practices that prevent state-based authentication bypasses.