CVE-2022-26779 in CloudStack
Summary
by MITRE • 03/15/2022
Apache CloudStack prior to 4.16.1.0 used insecure random number generation for project invitation tokens. If a project invite is created based only on an email address, a random token is generated. An attacker with knowledge of the project ID and the fact that the invite is sent, could generate time deterministic tokens and brute force attempt to use them prior to the legitimate receiver accepting the invite. This feature is not enabled by default, the attacker is required to know or guess the project ID for the invite in addition to the invitation token, and the attacker would need to be an existing authorized user of CloudStack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26779 affects Apache CloudStack versions prior to 4.16.1.0 and stems from the use of insecure random number generation when creating project invitation tokens. This flaw specifically impacts the project invitation mechanism where tokens are generated for email-based invitations. The security weakness manifests when the system relies solely on email addresses for project invitations without proper cryptographic entropy in token generation, creating predictable sequences that can be exploited by malicious actors. This issue falls under CWE-330 Use of Insufficiently Random Values, which directly relates to the improper implementation of random number generation in security-sensitive contexts. The vulnerability represents a significant concern for cloud environments where project access control and user management are critical components of the overall security posture.
The technical implementation flaw occurs within the project invitation subsystem of Apache CloudStack where cryptographic random number generators are not properly utilized for token creation. When a project invitation is generated based on an email address, the system employs a deterministic or weak random generation method that produces tokens susceptible to prediction and brute force attacks. This weakness allows attackers to compute potential token values based on time-based patterns or by analyzing the algorithm used for token generation. The vulnerability requires specific conditions to be exploited, including knowledge of the target project ID and the awareness that a specific invitation has been sent. This requirement limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk, as the attacker must still possess legitimate CloudStack user credentials to initiate the attack vector. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and credential access phases, where adversaries seek to exploit weak randomness in authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple access control breaches as it enables unauthorized users to potentially gain access to cloud projects without legitimate authorization. While the feature is not enabled by default, the attack requires minimal prerequisites that make it accessible to determined adversaries. The attacker must know or guess the project ID, which could be obtained through reconnaissance or social engineering, and must have existing CloudStack user privileges to initiate the attack. This combination of requirements means that the vulnerability could be exploited by insiders or attackers who have gained initial access to the system through other means. The potential for privilege escalation through this mechanism makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that rely heavily on project-based access controls within their CloudStack environments. The time-deterministic nature of the token generation allows for rapid brute force attempts, potentially enabling successful exploitation within reasonable timeframes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-26779 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Apache CloudStack installations to version 4.16.1.0 or later, which implements proper cryptographic random number generation for project invitation tokens. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as monitoring for unusual invitation patterns and implementing rate limiting on invitation generation requests to prevent automated brute force attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to ensure that only authorized users can generate project invitations, reducing the attack surface for this specific vulnerability. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of their CloudStack configurations to verify that project invitation features are properly secured and that no legacy systems are still operating with vulnerable versions. The implementation of proper entropy sources for cryptographic operations should be validated through security testing and compliance verification to ensure that future vulnerabilities of similar nature are prevented. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication layers and multi-factor authentication for project access to provide defense-in-depth against potential exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.