CVE-2019-11293 in Cloud Foundry UAA
Summary
by MITRE
Cloud Foundry UAA Release, versions prior to v74.10.0, when set to logging level DEBUG, logs client_secret credentials when sent as a query parameter. A remote authenticated malicious user could gain access to user credentials via the uaa.log file if authentication is provided via query parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-11293 affects Cloud Foundry UAA (User Account and Authentication) release versions prior to v74.10.0, representing a critical security flaw in identity and access management systems. This issue arises from improper handling of authentication credentials within the logging mechanism, specifically when the system operates under DEBUG logging level. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental weakness in credential protection practices where sensitive information flows through application logs without adequate sanitization or filtering, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to obtain privileged access tokens.
The technical flaw manifests when client_secret credentials are transmitted as query parameters during authentication requests, a common pattern in OAuth 2.0 implementations. Under normal operating conditions, these credentials should be handled securely and never exposed in log files or other system outputs. However, the UAA system fails to sanitize query parameters before logging them, particularly when the logging level is set to DEBUG. This configuration creates a scenario where any authenticated user with malicious intent can potentially access the uaa.log file and extract sensitive client_secret values that were passed as query parameters during authentication attempts. The vulnerability is specifically triggered when authentication is performed using query parameters rather than more secure methods such as HTTP headers or POST body parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of Cloud Foundry environments that rely on UAA for authentication. A remote authenticated malicious user can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to user credentials, potentially leading to privilege escalation, unauthorized system access, and data breaches. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication access to the system, meaning that once an attacker has legitimate credentials, they can exploit this vulnerability to escalate their privileges. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-532, which addresses information exposure through log files, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and secure credential handling practices. The exposure of client_secret values through logging creates a persistent security risk that can affect multiple applications and services within the Cloud Foundry environment that depend on UAA for authentication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to UAA release version v74.10.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent credential logging. Organizations should also implement strict logging level controls, ensuring that DEBUG level logging is disabled in production environments or that appropriate sanitization mechanisms are in place. Security administrators should configure the system to avoid passing sensitive credentials through query parameters, instead utilizing more secure authentication methods such as HTTP headers or POST body parameters. Additionally, regular log file monitoring and access controls should be implemented to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive log files, with the implementation of the principle of least privilege for log file access. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards, particularly those related to secure logging and credential management. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions to detect and alert on suspicious log file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts of this vulnerability.