CVE-2022-24731 in Argo
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2022
Argo CD is a declarative, GitOps continuous delivery tool for Kubernetes. Argo CD starting with version 1.5.0 but before versions 2.1.11, 2.2.6, and 2.3.0 is vulnerable to a path traversal vulnerability, allowing a malicious user with read/write access to leak sensitive files from Argo CD's repo-server. A malicious Argo CD user who has been granted `create` or `update` access to Applications can leak the contents of any text file on the repo-server. By crafting a malicious Helm chart and using it in an Application, the attacker can retrieve the sensitive file's contents either as part of the generated manifests or in 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 another Application's 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 problem can be mitigated by avoiding storing secrets in git, avoiding mounting secrets as files on the repo-server, avoiding decrypting secrets into files on the repo-server, and carefully limiting who can `create` or `update` Applications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-24731 represents a critical path traversal flaw in Argo CD continuous delivery platform that affects versions between 1.5.0 and prior to 2.1.11, 2.2.6, and 2.3.0. This security weakness resides within the repo-server component of Argo CD, which serves as the core element responsible for interacting with Git repositories to manage Kubernetes applications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation when processing Helm charts within Application definitions, creating a scenario where malicious actors can exploit the system to access sensitive files on the server filesystem. The flaw specifically manifests when users possess read/write permissions to create or update Applications, allowing them to craft malicious Helm chart artifacts that trigger unauthorized file access patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through a carefully constructed malicious Helm chart that leverages path traversal techniques to access files outside of the intended application boundaries. When Argo CD processes such a crafted chart, it fails to properly sanitize file paths during manifest generation or error message handling, enabling attackers to retrieve contents of arbitrary text files on the repo-server filesystem. This includes sensitive data from other Applications' source repositories, Kubernetes secrets mounted as files, and potentially system configuration files that could contain authentication credentials or other confidential information. The attack vector specifically targets the repo-server's handling of file operations during Helm chart processing, where the system does not adequately validate or restrict file access paths. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22 Path Traversal and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1565.001 for Data Manipulation, representing a privilege escalation and information disclosure threat.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-24731 extends beyond simple information leakage, as it can potentially expose sensitive credentials and configuration data that could facilitate further attacks within the Kubernetes environment. An attacker with minimal permissions can exploit this vulnerability to access secrets that might include API keys, database credentials, or other authentication tokens stored as files on the repo-server. The consequence of such exposure could enable lateral movement within the cluster or compromise other systems that rely on the leaked credentials. Organizations using Argo CD in production environments face significant risk as this vulnerability allows for unauthorized access to the file system of the repo-server component, potentially exposing the entire application deployment pipeline to compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only basic read/write access to Applications, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple teams share access to the same Argo CD instance.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-24731 focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves upgrading to patched versions of Argo CD 2.1.11, 2.2.6, or 2.3.0 where the path traversal vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and file path sanitization. Organizations should implement strict access controls limiting who can create or update Applications within the Argo CD system, following the principle of least privilege. Additional protective measures include avoiding storage of secrets in Git repositories, implementing proper secret management practices using Kubernetes secrets or external secret management systems, and ensuring that no secrets are mounted as files on the repo-server. The security posture can be further strengthened by implementing network segmentation, monitoring for unusual file access patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of the GitOps pipeline. These measures align with industry best practices for securing continuous delivery systems and protecting against unauthorized access to sensitive deployment artifacts.