CVE-2019-7616 in Kibana
Summary
by MITRE
Kibana versions before 6.8.2 and 7.2.1 contain a server side request forgery (SSRF) flaw in the graphite integration for Timelion visualizer. An attacker with administrative Kibana access could set the timelion:graphite.url configuration option to an arbitrary URL. This could possibly lead to an attacker accessing external URL resources as the Kibana process on the host system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7616 represents a critical server-side request forgery flaw within the Kibana platform that affects versions prior to 6.8.2 and 7.2.1. This security weakness specifically resides within the graphite integration component of the Timelion visualizer module, which is commonly used for time series data visualization and analysis. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that allow malicious actors to manipulate the configuration parameters used for external data source connections. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the server-side level, meaning that any authenticated administrative user can exploit this weakness to potentially access internal network resources that the Kibana process has access to.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker with administrative privileges to modify the timelion:graphite.url configuration option through Kibana's administrative interface or configuration files. When this configuration parameter is set to an arbitrary URL, the Kibana process will attempt to establish connections to that specified endpoint using its own network credentials and privileges. This creates a scenario where the attacker can effectively use the Kibana server as an intermediary to make requests to internal systems, external services, or even to bypass network security controls that would normally prevent direct access. The flaw essentially enables an attacker to perform unauthorized network reconnaissance and potentially access sensitive internal resources that would otherwise be protected by network segmentation or firewall rules.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. An attacker could leverage this weakness to perform internal network scanning by targeting various internal IP addresses and ports, or to access other internal services that are not directly exposed to the internet. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-918, which specifically addresses server-side request forgery vulnerabilities where an attacker can manipulate server-side requests to access resources that should be restricted. Additionally, from an adversary tactics perspective, this vulnerability maps to the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol tunneling, where attackers can use legitimate application features to bypass network controls and access internal resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary and most effective solution is to upgrade to Kibana versions 6.8.2 or 7.2.1, which contain the necessary patches to address the SSRF flaw. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and privilege management to limit administrative access to Kibana, ensuring that only trusted individuals have the ability to modify configuration parameters. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict outbound connections from the Kibana server, particularly to internal networks and sensitive services. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual outbound traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of validating and sanitizing all user inputs, especially those that are used to construct network requests, which aligns with defensive coding practices recommended by security frameworks such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.