CVE-2019-11290 in Cloud Foundry UAA
Summary
by MITRE
Cloud Foundry UAA Release, versions prior to v74.8.0, logs all query parameters to tomcat’s access file. If the query parameters are used to provide authentication, ie. credentials, then they will be logged as well.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-11290 affects Cloud Foundry UAA (User Account and Authentication) release versions prior to v74.8.0, representing a significant security flaw in the logging mechanisms of the authentication system. This issue stems from the improper handling of query parameters within the Tomcat access logging configuration, where all query parameters are automatically recorded in the access log files without proper sanitization or filtering. The vulnerability falls under the category of information exposure through logging, which aligns with CWE-209 and CWE-1174, as it exposes sensitive data through inadequate logging controls. The Cloud Foundry UAA service serves as a critical authentication layer for cloud platforms, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on these systems for identity management and access control.
The technical flaw manifests when authentication credentials or sensitive information are passed as query parameters in URLs to the UAA service. Since the logging mechanism captures all query parameters without discrimination, any authentication tokens, passwords, or other sensitive data transmitted through URL parameters become permanently stored in the Tomcat access log files. This creates a persistent exposure of confidential information that could be accessed by unauthorized users with read permissions to the log files. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the infrastructure level where authentication flows are processed, and the sensitive data is logged without any consideration for the security implications of including such information in plain text logs. This flaw represents a direct violation of security best practices for log management and data protection, as outlined in the OWASP Logging Security Testing Guide and NIST SP 800-92.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to compromise authentication systems. Attackers who gain access to the log files can extract authentication credentials, session tokens, and other sensitive data that may have been transmitted through query parameters, potentially enabling them to impersonate legitimate users or gain unauthorized access to protected resources. The exposure is particularly severe in environments where the UAA service handles sensitive authentication flows, such as OAuth2 token exchanges, SAML assertions, or other identity management protocols that may pass credentials through URL parameters. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the authentication system and creates a persistent threat surface that remains active as long as the log files exist, making it a critical concern for compliance with security standards such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, and PCI DSS.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-11290 require immediate attention and involve multiple layers of defensive measures. Organizations must upgrade to Cloud Foundry UAA version 74.8.0 or later, which includes proper query parameter filtering in the logging mechanism. Additionally, system administrators should implement log file access controls to restrict read permissions to authorized personnel only, and consider implementing log rotation and secure deletion policies to minimize the exposure window. The implementation of proper input validation and parameter sanitization at the application level can help prevent sensitive data from being passed through URL parameters in the first place. Security teams should also conduct regular log file audits to identify any remaining instances of sensitive data in logs and establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual access patterns to log files. This vulnerability highlights the importance of the principle of least privilege in logging configurations and reinforces the need for comprehensive security testing of logging mechanisms as part of the overall security architecture, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1562.006 for credential dumping and T1070.001 for indicator removal through log manipulation.