CVE-2019-15137 in Fast RTPS
Summary
by MITRE
The Access Control plugin in eProsima Fast RTPS through 1.9.0 allows fnmatch pattern matches with topic name strings (instead of the permission expressions themselves), which can lead to unintended connections between participants in a Data Distribution Service (DDS) network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15137 resides within the Access Control plugin of eProsima Fast RTPS, a widely used implementation of the Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard. This issue affects versions through 1.9.0 and represents a critical flaw in the permission management system that governs communication between participants in DDS networks. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of pattern matching logic within the access control mechanism, creating a security gap that could allow unauthorized communication between system components.
The technical flaw manifests when the system employs fnmatch pattern matching against topic name strings rather than against the actual permission expressions defined in the access control policies. This misapplication of pattern matching creates a scenario where malicious actors could craft topic names that inadvertently match permission rules intended for different topics or participants. The fnmatch function, designed for filename pattern matching, is being incorrectly applied to topic name validation, leading to unexpected authorization outcomes. This fundamental error in the permission evaluation process allows for unintended connections between participants who should not have access to each other's data streams.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of distributed systems that rely on DDS for real-time data exchange. In environments where security is paramount such as aerospace, automotive, industrial control systems, and defense applications, this flaw could enable attackers to establish communication channels between system components that should remain isolated. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where strict data partitioning is required, as the improper pattern matching could allow data leakage between different security domains or participant groups. This issue becomes especially concerning in multi-tenant environments where separation of data streams is critical for maintaining operational security.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-254, which addresses weaknesses in permission systems, and represents a classic case of improper input validation in security-critical contexts. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign programming practices can create significant security risks when applied to complex distributed systems. Organizations implementing Fast RTPS in production environments should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling and risk assessment activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under privilege escalation and lateral movement techniques, as it enables unauthorized participants to gain access to resources they should not be able to reach through normal communication channels. Remediation efforts should focus on updating to patched versions of Fast RTPS, implementing additional monitoring of DDS network communications, and reviewing existing access control policies to ensure proper enforcement of security boundaries.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the challenges inherent in securing distributed real-time systems where traditional network security approaches may not be sufficient. As DDS continues to gain adoption in critical infrastructure applications, understanding and addressing such access control flaws becomes essential for maintaining system integrity. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous security testing, particularly for components that handle access control and authorization decisions in complex distributed architectures.