CVE-2019-11281 in RabbitMQ
Summary
by MITRE
Pivotal RabbitMQ, versions prior to v3.7.18, and RabbitMQ for PCF, versions 1.15.x prior to 1.15.13, versions 1.16.x prior to 1.16.6, and versions 1.17.x prior to 1.17.3, contain two components, the virtual host limits page, and the federation management UI, which do not properly sanitize user input. A remote authenticated malicious user with administrative access could craft a cross site scripting attack that would gain access to virtual hosts and policy management information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-11281 affects Pivotal RabbitMQ and RabbitMQ for PCF versions prior to specific patched releases, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the administrative user interface components. This vulnerability exists in two distinct areas of the RabbitMQ management interface: the virtual host limits page and the federation management UI, where insufficient input sanitization allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts. The flaw specifically targets the administrative components that handle user input for virtual host configuration and federation policy management, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to exploit these interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the web interface components. When administrators interact with the virtual host limits page or federation management UI, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters and script tags that could be embedded in input fields. This lack of input sanitization creates an environment where malicious payloads can be executed within the context of the authenticated administrator's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only administrative authentication, which is often more privileged than typical user accounts, and allows attackers to access sensitive management information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with access to critical administrative functions within the RabbitMQ management interface. An authenticated malicious user could leverage this vulnerability to view, modify, or delete virtual host configurations, access policy management information, and potentially gain broader access to the message queue infrastructure. This access could enable attackers to disrupt messaging services, steal sensitive data processed through the message broker, or manipulate queue configurations to redirect messages to unauthorized destinations. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to operate as administrators within the RabbitMQ management interface, potentially leading to complete compromise of the messaging infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement patches for RabbitMQ versions prior to 3.7.18 and RabbitMQ for PCF versions 1.15.x prior to 1.15.13, 1.16.x prior to 1.16.6, and 1.17.x prior to 1.17.3. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive patch management processes, enhanced monitoring of administrative interface access, and implementation of additional security controls such as network segmentation and least privilege access principles. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of administrative interface usage patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, Cross-site Scripting, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution, representing a critical security gap that requires immediate remediation to prevent potential system compromise and data exposure.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of input validation in web application security, particularly within administrative interfaces that handle sensitive configuration data. Organizations should implement comprehensive security testing procedures including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing of administrative interfaces to identify similar sanitization gaps. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies and regular security training for administrators can help reduce the risk of exploitation. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that administrative interfaces, while necessary for system management, often represent high-value targets for attackers due to their privileged access capabilities and the sensitive information they handle.