CVE-2019-19346 in mariadb-apb
Summary
by MITRE
An insecure modification vulnerability in the /etc/passwd file was found in the container openshift/mariadb-apb, affecting versions before the following 4.3.5, 4.2.21, 4.1.37, and 3.11.188-4 . An attacker with access to the container could use this flaw to modify /etc/passwd and escalate their privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19346 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the openshift/mariadb-apb container image, specifically targeting the /etc/passwd file modification process. This issue stems from inadequate access controls and file system permissions that allow unauthorized users to manipulate the system's user authentication database. The vulnerability exists in multiple versions of the OpenShift container platform, with affected releases including versions prior to 4.3.5, 4.2.21, 4.1.37, and 3.11.188-4, making it a widespread concern across various deployment environments. The flaw manifests when containerized applications fail to properly validate or restrict modifications to critical system files, creating an attack vector for malicious actors who possess access to the container environment.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes inadequate file permissions and improper access control mechanisms. When an attacker gains access to the container, they can leverage this flaw to modify the /etc/passwd file directly, potentially adding new user accounts with elevated privileges or modifying existing entries to gain root-level access. This type of insecure file modification vulnerability fundamentally undermines the principle of least privilege and allows for unauthorized privilege escalation. The attack vector specifically targets the container's file system permissions, where the container runtime does not properly enforce restrictions on file modifications, enabling attackers to bypass normal security boundaries that would typically prevent such modifications in a properly secured environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-19346 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access within the containerized environment. Attackers can use this vulnerability to establish backdoors, maintain long-term access, and potentially propagate to other containers or host systems within the same orchestration platform. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in cloud-native environments where containers frequently share host resources and network access, allowing for lateral movement attacks. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1068, this vulnerability enables privilege escalation by exploiting weaknesses in the system's access control mechanisms, while T1548.003 covers the abuse of local privilege escalation techniques that can be achieved through file system manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate container image updates to patched versions, along with comprehensive access control policies that restrict file system modifications within containers. Organizations should implement strict container runtime security policies that prevent unauthorized modifications to critical system files, including the enforcement of read-only file systems for sensitive locations. The solution involves updating to versions 4.3.5, 4.2.21, 4.1.37, or 3.11.188-4 respectively, which contain the necessary security patches. Additionally, implementing proper container orchestration security measures such as pod security policies, runtime application protection, and regular vulnerability scanning of container images can help prevent exploitation of similar flaws. Network segmentation and zero-trust security models should also be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, ensuring that even if one container is compromised, attackers cannot easily move laterally within the system.