CVE-2020-7653 in snyk-broker
Summary
by MITRE
All versions of snyk-broker before 4.80.0 are vulnerable to Arbitrary File Read. It allows arbitrary file reads for users with access to Snyk's internal network by creating symlinks to match whitelisted paths.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7653 affects snyk-broker versions prior to 4.80.0, representing a critical arbitrary file read flaw that exposes systems to unauthorized data access. This vulnerability specifically targets the broker component used by Snyk to facilitate communication between internal networks and their cloud services, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this infrastructure. The flaw stems from inadequate path validation mechanisms that fail to properly verify the authenticity of file access requests, particularly when symlinks are involved in the attack vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way snyk-broker handles file system operations and path resolution within its internal network communication framework. Attackers with access to Snyk's internal network can manipulate the system by creating symbolic links that point to whitelisted paths, effectively bypassing intended access controls. This technique leverages the trust relationships established between the broker and internal systems, allowing malicious actors to traverse file system boundaries that should remain protected. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the broker's file handling capabilities and demonstrating a failure in proper input validation and access control enforcement.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using Snyk's infrastructure, as it enables unauthorized access to sensitive internal files and data. The attack requires only network access to Snyk's internal systems, making it particularly dangerous for companies that trust Snyk with their security infrastructure. The implications extend beyond simple data exposure, as attackers could potentially access configuration files, source code repositories, or other sensitive artifacts that might contain credentials, system information, or proprietary data. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of organizational data, potentially leading to further compromise through reconnaissance or privilege escalation.
The security implications of CVE-2020-7653 align with CWE-22, which addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. This classification reflects the core issue where the system fails to properly validate file paths, allowing attackers to access files outside of intended directories. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1074.001, which describes data staging through the use of remote access tools or compromised systems, as attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information from internal systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to snyk-broker version 4.80.0 or later, implementing network segmentation to limit access to internal systems, and conducting thorough security reviews of all broker configurations to ensure proper path validation and access controls are in place.