CVE-2022-24414 in CloudLink
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2022
Dell EMC CloudLink 7.1.3 and all earlier versions, Auth Token is exposed in GET requests. These request parameters can get logged in reverse proxies and server logs. Attackers may potentially use these tokens to access CloudLink server. Tokens should not be used in request URL to avoid such attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-24414 affects Dell EMC CloudLink versions 7.1.3 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in the authentication mechanism of this cloud infrastructure solution. This issue manifests when authentication tokens are transmitted within GET request parameters rather than being properly secured in request headers or other more secure transmission methods. The fundamental technical flaw lies in the improper handling of sensitive authentication data, which creates an inherent risk of credential exposure through various logging mechanisms throughout the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it creates a persistent attack surface that can be exploited by adversaries with minimal technical expertise. When authentication tokens appear in URL parameters, they become susceptible to logging in multiple system components including reverse proxies, web servers, application servers, and network monitoring tools. This exposure creates a cascading security risk where even if individual logging systems are properly secured, the token remains accessible through any system that logs HTTP request parameters. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-598, which specifically addresses the use of GET requests for transmitting sensitive data, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through network sniffing and URL-based attacks.
The security implications of this flaw are particularly severe given the nature of CloudLink as a cloud infrastructure management solution. Attackers who obtain these exposed tokens can potentially gain unauthorized access to the CloudLink server, which may provide them with administrative privileges over cloud resources and infrastructure management functions. The vulnerability is exacerbated by the fact that many organizations implement comprehensive logging strategies across their network infrastructure, making it highly probable that these tokens will be captured in at least one logging system. This exposure creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on CloudLink for managing their cloud environments, as compromised tokens could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive cloud resources.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability by modifying their CloudLink configuration to ensure authentication tokens are transmitted through secure methods such as HTTP headers or POST parameters rather than URL query strings. The recommended approach involves configuring the application to reject or redirect requests containing authentication tokens in URL parameters while implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of existing logs and monitoring systems to identify and remove any previously exposed tokens, while implementing log rotation and access controls to minimize the risk of future exposure. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect and alert on suspicious patterns of URL-based authentication token usage, as this vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including man-in-the-middle attacks and compromised network infrastructure.