CVE-2020-7651 in snyk-broker
Summary
by MITRE
All versions of snyk-broker before 4.79.0 are vulnerable to Arbitrary File Read. It allows partial file reads for users who have access to Snyk's internal network via patch history from GitHub Commits API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7651 affects snyk-broker versions prior to 4.79.0 and represents a critical arbitrary file read flaw that exposes sensitive data through improper access controls. This vulnerability specifically targets the patch history functionality within the GitHub Commits API integration, allowing unauthorized users to access partial file contents from the underlying system. The flaw exists within the broker component that facilitates communication between Snyk's internal systems and external repositories, creating an attack vector through which malicious actors can exploit network access to extract confidential information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the snyk-broker software. When processing GitHub commit history data, the system fails to properly sanitize or restrict file access paths, enabling attackers to manipulate API requests to retrieve unintended file contents. This issue falls under CWE-22 which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. The vulnerability manifests when users with access to Snyk's internal network can leverage the patch history functionality to perform partial reads of files that should otherwise be restricted, potentially exposing source code, configuration files, or other sensitive artifacts.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-7651 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates a persistent threat vector for attackers who can maintain access to the internal network. Organizations relying on snyk-broker for security scanning and vulnerability management face significant risk of credential theft, intellectual property exposure, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The partial file read capability means attackers can gather enough information to understand system configurations, application logic, or security controls, which could facilitate more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 which covers data from local system, and T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol: dns, as attackers can use this information to plan targeted attacks against other systems.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to snyk-broker version 4.79.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the patch addresses the improper access control mechanisms that enable the arbitrary file read. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to snyk-broker components, monitoring API access logs for suspicious activity, and conducting regular security assessments of internal network access points. Security teams should also review and restrict access permissions for GitHub integration components, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the patch history functionality. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation, particularly when handling data from external sources like version control systems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as API rate limiting and request monitoring to prevent exploitation attempts. This issue underscores the critical need for maintaining up-to-date security software and implementing robust access control policies to protect against credential exposure and unauthorized data access.