CVE-2022-24730 in Argo
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2022
Argo CD is a declarative, GitOps continuous delivery tool for Kubernetes. Argo CD starting with version 1.3.0 but before versions 2.1.11, 2.2.6, and 2.3.0 is vulnerable to a path traversal bug, compounded by an improper access control bug, allowing a malicious user with read-only repository access to leak sensitive files from Argo CD's repo-server. A malicious Argo CD user who has been granted `get` access for a repository containing a Helm chart can craft an API request to the `/api/v1/repositories/{repo_url}/appdetails` endpoint to leak the contents of out-of-bounds files from the repo-server. The malicious payload would reference an out-of-bounds file, and the contents of that file would be returned as part of the response. Contents from a non-YAML file may be returned as part of an error message. The attacker would have to know or guess the location of the target file. Sensitive files which could be leaked include files from other Applications' source repositories or any secrets which have been mounted as files on the repo-server. This vulnerability is patched in Argo CD versions 2.1.11, 2.2.6, and 2.3.0. The patches prevent path traversal and limit access to users who either A) have been granted Application `create` privileges or B) have been granted Application `get` privileges and are requesting details for a `repo_url` that has already been used for the given Application. There are currently no known workarounds.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2022-24730 represents a critical security flaw in Argo CD versions 1.3.0 through 2.2.5, affecting the GitOps continuous delivery tool's repository server component. This issue stems from a combination of path traversal and improper access control mechanisms that together create a significant attack surface for malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the `/api/v1/repositories/{repo_url}/appdetails` endpoint, which is designed to provide application details from Helm charts stored in repositories. The flaw allows unauthorized access to sensitive files that should remain protected within the repo-server environment, potentially exposing confidential information from other applications or system secrets.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on a path traversal attack combined with insufficient access controls. A malicious user with read-only repository access can craft specially crafted API requests that leverage the path traversal bug to access files outside the intended boundaries of the repository. This occurs because the application fails to properly validate and sanitize file paths when processing requests to the appdetails endpoint. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to retrieve contents of non-YAML files that may be returned as part of error messages, potentially exposing secrets or configuration data. The attack requires knowledge or guessing of file locations within the repo-server filesystem, making it somewhat targeted but still highly impactful when successful.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise entire deployment environments. Attackers could access sensitive files from other applications' source repositories, potentially obtaining confidential deployment configurations, credentials, or other proprietary information. The exposure of secrets mounted as files on the repo-server creates a particularly severe risk since these files often contain authentication tokens, API keys, or other credentials that could be used for further compromise. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Argo CD installations and represents a fundamental flaw in the access control model that governs repository server interactions. This issue demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in distributed systems handling sensitive deployment information.
The security patches implemented in versions 2.1.11, 2.2.6, and 2.3.0 address the vulnerability through multiple defensive mechanisms that align with established security principles. The fixes implement proper path traversal prevention measures that ensure file paths are validated against allowed boundaries before processing. Additionally, the access control restrictions require either create privileges or specific get privileges tied to previously used repository URLs, effectively preventing unauthorized cross-application file access. These mitigations align with common security frameworks and address the underlying CWE-22 (Path Traversal) vulnerability while implementing proper privilege separation as recommended in the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation categories. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions and review their access control policies to ensure that repository access is properly restricted based on least privilege principles, as the vulnerability demonstrates how read-only access can be escalated to unauthorized information disclosure through improper validation of user inputs and access controls.