CVE-2019-12491 in OnApp
Summary
by MITRE
OnApp before 5.0.0-88, 5.5.0-93, and 6.0.0-196 allows an attacker to run arbitrary commands with root privileges on servers managed by OnApp for XEN/KVM hypervisors. To exploit the vulnerability an attacker has to have control of a single server on a given cloud (e.g. by renting one). From the source server, the attacker can craft any command and trigger the OnApp platform to execute that command with root privileges on a target server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2020
This critical vulnerability in OnApp versions prior to 5.0.0-88, 5.5.0-93, and 6.0.0-196 represents a severe privilege escalation flaw that allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on hypervisor-managed servers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper privilege handling within the OnApp platform's command execution mechanisms for XEN and KVM hypervisors. Attackers need only compromise a single server within a cloud environment to leverage this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tenant cloud deployments where isolation is expected. The flaw exists in the platform's handling of user-supplied data during command processing, creating a path for command injection attacks that bypass normal security boundaries. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-77 and CWE-78 within the CWE database, which catalog command injection flaws that allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on target systems. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates at the hypervisor level, where the attacker can manipulate the platform to execute malicious commands on target servers with elevated privileges, effectively compromising the entire underlying infrastructure. The operational impact extends beyond individual server compromise, potentially enabling attackers to access, modify, or delete data across multiple virtual machines hosted on the same hypervisor, creating cascading security failures in cloud environments. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which involves executing commands through various interfaces, and T1068 which focuses on exploiting vulnerabilities for privilege escalation. The attack requires minimal initial access but provides maximum impact, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege, where user-controlled inputs are directly translated into system commands without proper sanitization or validation. This flaw undermines the security model of cloud infrastructure by allowing lateral movement and privilege escalation without requiring additional authentication or authorization. Organizations using affected OnApp versions face significant risk of complete system compromise, data breaches, and potential regulatory violations. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require specialized knowledge or advanced techniques, making it accessible to a broad range of threat actors. Mitigation efforts should include immediate patching to the latest OnApp versions, implementing network segmentation to limit lateral movement, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of cloud environments to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their hypervisor configurations and implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The incident highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and privilege separation in cloud management platforms, particularly those handling hypervisor-level operations where a single vulnerability can compromise entire virtualized infrastructures.