CVE-2022-27919 in Gradle Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE • 03/26/2022
Gradle Enterprise before 2022.1 allows remote code execution if the installation process did not specify an initial configuration file. The configuration allows certain anonymous access to administration and an API.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-27919 affects Gradle Enterprise versions prior to 2022.1, presenting a critical remote code execution risk that stems from insufficient access controls during the installation process. This flaw specifically manifests when the installation process fails to establish an initial configuration file, creating a security gap that allows unauthorized users to exploit anonymous access privileges. The vulnerability resides in the default configuration behavior of the Gradle Enterprise platform, where the absence of proper initial setup parameters enables malicious actors to gain unauthorized administrative access through the API endpoints. This represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege, as the system defaults to a permissive configuration that exposes administrative functionalities to unauthenticated users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the API interface that Gradle Enterprise provides for administrative operations, where anonymous access is permitted by default. When no initial configuration file is specified during installation, the system maintains default settings that include open administrative endpoints accessible without authentication. Attackers can leverage this misconfiguration to execute arbitrary code on the target system by utilizing the exposed API endpoints that typically require administrative privileges. The underlying flaw aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and specifically demonstrates how default configurations can create security vulnerabilities that persist until explicitly addressed by system administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables complete system compromise through remote code execution capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain full administrative control over the Gradle Enterprise instance, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system disruption, or use as a foothold for further attacks within the network. The exposure of administrative APIs to anonymous access creates an attack surface that can be exploited by threat actors without requiring any prior credentials or authentication, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where Gradle Enterprise is deployed without proper security hardening. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and script injection, and T1078 for valid accounts, as the compromised system can be used to execute malicious commands and maintain persistence.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations by ensuring that all Gradle Enterprise installations include proper initial configuration files that disable anonymous access and restrict administrative API endpoints. The recommended approach involves configuring the system with strong authentication mechanisms, disabling unnecessary administrative endpoints, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to the Gradle Enterprise instance. Regular security assessments should verify that installations properly configure access controls and that default configurations are not left in place. System administrators must also establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts and API calls that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper security configuration management and the necessity of implementing security controls during the initial deployment phase rather than relying on default settings that may expose systems to unnecessary risks.