CVE-2022-23974 in Pinot
Summary
by MITRE • 04/06/2022
In 0.9.3 or older versions of Apache Pinot segment upload path allowed segment directories to be imported into pinot tables. In pinot installations that allow open access to the controller a specially crafted request can potentially be exploited to cause disruption in pinot service. Pinot release 0.10.0 fixes this. See https://docs.pinot.apache.org/basics/releases/0.10.0
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-23974 represents a path traversal issue within Apache Pinot versions 0.9.3 and earlier, where the segment upload functionality permitted unauthorized directory traversal attacks. This flaw exists in the controller component of Pinot, which serves as the central management interface for the distributed data processing system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the segment import mechanism, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths during segment uploads. When combined with open access configurations, this weakness creates a significant security risk that can be exploited to disrupt service operations and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the controller's handling of segment directory imports without proper validation of user-supplied paths. Attackers can craft specially formatted requests that manipulate the segment upload process to traverse directory structures beyond the intended scope. This path traversal capability enables adversaries to potentially access sensitive files, directories, or system resources that should remain protected. The flaw specifically affects installations where the controller interface is accessible without proper authentication or access controls, making it particularly dangerous in environments where security boundaries are not properly enforced. According to CWE-22, this vulnerability maps directly to path traversal issues that allow attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure through manipulation of input data.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-23974 extends beyond simple disruption to encompass potential data exposure and service availability concerns. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could cause denial of service by manipulating the segment upload process to consume excessive system resources or corrupt segment data. The vulnerability also poses risks to data integrity and confidentiality, as unauthorized access to segment directories might reveal sensitive operational information or allow manipulation of data processing pipelines. Organizations running affected versions of Apache Pinot face potential compromise of their real-time analytics capabilities, with the attack surface expanding when controller interfaces are exposed to untrusted networks or users without proper authentication. This vulnerability directly impacts the ATT&CK technique T1210, which involves exploitation of remote services to gain access to system resources and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environment.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires immediate upgrading to Apache Pinot version 0.10.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms for segment path handling. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and authentication measures for controller interfaces to prevent unauthorized access to the system management components. Security hardening practices should include restricting controller network access to trusted IP ranges and implementing robust authentication mechanisms such as TLS encryption and user access controls. Additionally, regular security assessments of Apache Pinot installations should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the broader system architecture. The fix implemented in version 0.10.0 addresses the root cause by introducing proper validation of file paths during segment import operations, preventing directory traversal attacks through the controller interface.