CVE-2019-17633 in Eclipse Che
Summary
by MITRE
For Eclipse Che versions 6.16 to 7.3.0, with both authentication and TLS disabled, visiting a malicious web site could trigger the start of an arbitrary Che workspace. Che with no authentication and no TLS is not usually deployed on a public network but is often used for local installations (e.g. on personal laptops). In that case, even if the Che API is not exposed externally, some javascript running in the local browser is able to send requests to it.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2019-17633 represents a critical security flaw in Eclipse Che platforms version 6.16 through 7.3.0 that arises from improper access control mechanisms when the platform operates without authentication and TLS encryption. This issue specifically affects deployments where developers configure Eclipse Che for local development environments, typically on personal laptops or internal networks where external exposure is minimal but local browser-based attacks remain possible. The vulnerability stems from the platform's failure to properly validate requests originating from browser contexts, creating a dangerous attack vector that can be exploited through malicious web pages.
The technical flaw manifests when Eclipse Che operates with both authentication disabled and TLS encryption turned off, creating an environment where any javascript code executed in a user's browser can potentially initiate workspace creation operations. This occurs because the platform's API endpoints lack proper authorization checks when processing requests from localhost or internal network addresses, allowing malicious scripts to craft and send requests that trigger arbitrary workspace startup procedures. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the trust relationship between local browser contexts and the development platform, bypassing normal security boundaries that would typically prevent such unauthorized operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables attackers to consume system resources through unauthorized workspace creation, potentially leading to denial of service conditions or unauthorized access to development environments. When exploited, the vulnerability allows malicious actors to start workspaces that may contain sensitive development data, code repositories, or configuration files that could be accessed by unauthorized parties. The risk is amplified in local development environments where users may not be fully aware of the security implications of running unsecured Eclipse Che instances, particularly when visiting websites that contain malicious javascript code designed to exploit this specific vulnerability.
Organizations and developers using Eclipse Che in local environments should immediately implement mitigations that include enabling authentication mechanisms and TLS encryption, even for local installations. The recommended approach involves configuring proper access controls and ensuring that all communication between browser contexts and the Eclipse Che platform occurs over encrypted channels. Security teams should also conduct regular audits of development environments to identify and remediate instances where authentication and TLS are disabled. Additionally, browser-based security measures such as content security policies and sandboxing should be implemented to limit the potential impact of malicious scripts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and represents a specific ATT&CK technique where adversaries leverage browser-based attacks to gain unauthorized access to development platforms through local privilege escalation vectors.