CVE-2019-3864 in Quay
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability was discovered in all quay-2 versions before quay-3.0.0, in the Quay web GUI where POST requests include a specific parameter which is used as a CSRF token. The token is not refreshed for every request or when a user logged out and in again. An attacker could use a leaked token to gain access to the system using the user's account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-3864 represents a critical weakness in the Quay container registry platform affecting all versions prior to 3.0.0. This issue resides within the web graphical user interface implementation where the system employs a CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) protection mechanism that fails to properly manage token lifecycle. The flaw specifically manifests in how the system handles CSRF tokens through POST requests, creating a persistent security gap that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper CSRF token management within the Quay application's authentication flow. When users interact with the web interface, the system generates a CSRF token to validate requests and prevent unauthorized actions. However, the implementation does not refresh this token for each individual request nor does it invalidate tokens upon user logout and re-authentication. This design flaw creates a window of opportunity where a leaked token can be reused indefinitely, effectively allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users and execute unauthorized operations within the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-3864 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised Quay environment. An attacker who obtains a valid CSRF token can manipulate container repositories, push new images, delete existing content, modify user permissions, and potentially gain access to sensitive container images and associated metadata. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on Quay for container image management, as it undermines the integrity of the entire container registry ecosystem and could lead to supply chain compromises.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. The implementation flaw demonstrates poor session management practices and inadequate token lifecycle controls that violate fundamental security principles. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation through session hijacking and token reuse. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Quay version 3.0.0 or later where proper CSRF token management has been implemented, and consider additional security measures such as implementing rate limiting, monitoring for unusual authentication patterns, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper authentication token management and the necessity of implementing robust session handling mechanisms that align with industry best practices for web application security.