CVE-2022-21947 in Rancher Desktop
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2022
A Improper Access Control vulnerability in Rancher Desktop of SUSE allows attackers in the local network to connect to the Dashboard API (steve) to carry out arbitrary actions. This issue affects: SUSE Rancher Desktop versions prior to V.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-21947 represents a critical improper access control flaw within SUSE Rancher Desktop that exposes the Dashboard API (steve) to unauthorized local network attackers. This weakness fundamentally undermines the security posture of the platform by allowing malicious actors within the same network segment to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary operations against the exposed API endpoints. The vulnerability specifically targets the steve API component which serves as the primary interface for managing and monitoring Rancher Desktop environments, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking to compromise containerized infrastructure.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from insufficient authorization checks and access validation within the Rancher Desktop application's API handling mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by connecting directly to the Dashboard API without proper authentication credentials, enabling them to perform operations such as creating, modifying, or deleting resources within the managed environment. This improper access control aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses inadequate access control implementations in software systems. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly validate user permissions and session tokens before processing API requests, creating a path for unauthorized access to administrative functions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using SUSE Rancher Desktop in shared or untrusted network environments. Local network attackers can leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges and potentially compromise the entire container orchestration platform. The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access as attackers could manipulate running workloads, steal sensitive data, or disrupt service availability. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts usage and privilege escalation, as the attacker can leverage the exposed API to perform actions that should require proper authentication and authorization. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-21947 should prioritize immediate patching of affected SUSE Rancher Desktop versions to address the underlying access control implementation issues. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate Rancher Desktop instances from untrusted networks and disable unnecessary API exposure where possible. Additional protective measures include configuring firewall rules to restrict access to API endpoints, enabling strict authentication mechanisms, and implementing network monitoring to detect unauthorized API access attempts. Regular security assessments should verify that proper access controls are in place and that no unauthorized access paths exist within the Rancher Desktop environment. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in API-based applications, reinforcing the need for comprehensive security testing and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent unauthorized access to critical system functions.