CVE-2022-36640 in influxDB
Summary
by MITRE • 09/03/2022
influxData influxDB before v1.8.10 contains no authentication mechanism or controls, allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-36640 represents a critical security flaw in influxData InfluxDB versions prior to v1.8.10, where the database system lacks any form of authentication mechanism or access controls. This fundamental weakness creates an environment where unauthorized individuals can gain unrestricted access to the database system without requiring any credentials or authorization. The absence of authentication controls means that any attacker who can reach the InfluxDB service can potentially execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system, effectively providing them with complete control over the database server and its operations.
This vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient authentication, which is classified as CWE-287 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The flaw directly enables privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where database systems often contain sensitive operational data, user information, and business-critical metrics. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1078 credential access and T1059 execution domains, as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access and execute malicious commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers can manipulate database contents, delete critical information, create backdoors, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core authentication mechanism of the database system, meaning that even if network segmentation is properly implemented, unauthorized access can still occur if the database is directly exposed to untrusted networks.
Organizations using affected InfluxDB versions should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to v1.8.10 or later, which includes proper authentication controls and access management features. Network-level protections such as firewall rules to restrict access to database ports, implementation of VPNs for secure remote access, and regular security audits should also be enforced. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual database access patterns, and all database connections should be authenticated using strong credential management practices. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of implementing proper authentication mechanisms as outlined in security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001, where access control and authentication are fundamental requirements for protecting information systems.