CVE-2022-36089 in KubeVela
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2022
KubeVela is an application delivery platform Users using KubeVela's VelaUX APIServer could be affected by an authentication bypass vulnerability. In KubeVela prior to versions 1.4.11 and 1.5.4, VelaUX APIServer uses the `PlatformID` as the signed key to generate the JWT tokens for users. Another API called `getSystemInfo` exposes the platformID. This vulnerability allows users to use the platformID to re-generate the JWT tokens to bypass the authentication. Versions 1.4.11 and 1.5.4 contain a patch for this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-36089 affects KubeVela's VelaUX APIServer component, which serves as an application delivery platform for Kubernetes environments. This authentication bypass flaw stems from a fundamental design weakness in how JWT tokens are generated and validated within the platform's user authentication system. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions prior to 1.4.11 and 1.5.4, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on KubeVela's administrative interfaces.
The technical flaw resides in the use of PlatformID as a signing key for JWT token generation within the VelaUX APIServer. This approach violates security best practices by utilizing a predictable and publicly exposed value as the cryptographic secret. The vulnerability is exacerbated by the existence of the `getSystemInfo` API endpoint which intentionally exposes the PlatformID to authenticated users. This design creates a direct attack vector where an attacker can obtain the PlatformID and subsequently regenerate valid JWT tokens without proper authentication credentials. The flaw essentially transforms a security mechanism designed to protect access into a mechanism that can be exploited by anyone who discovers the PlatformID value.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally undermines the integrity of the authentication system. An attacker who gains access to the PlatformID can impersonate any user within the system, potentially gaining administrative privileges and executing arbitrary commands on the underlying Kubernetes cluster. This risk is particularly severe in multi-tenant environments where unauthorized users could access or manipulate resources belonging to other organizations. The vulnerability affects the core authentication flow of the VelaUX interface, potentially allowing attackers to bypass all user access controls and gain full administrative capabilities over the application delivery platform.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-306, "Missing Authentication for Critical Function", and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts," as it exploits legitimate user accounts through compromised authentication tokens. The attack vector represents a privilege escalation scenario where an attacker with basic access can elevate their privileges to administrative levels. Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions 1.4.11 and 1.5.4, implementing network segmentation to restrict access to the VelaUX APIServer, and monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing additional authentication layers such as API rate limiting and enhanced logging of authentication events to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic key management and the dangers of exposing sensitive system parameters through public APIs.