CVE-2022-37397 in YugabyteDB
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2022
An issue was discovered in the YugabyteDB 2.6.1 when using LDAP-based authentication in YCQL with Microsoft’s Active Directory. When anonymous or unauthenticated LDAP binding is enabled, it allows bypass of authentication with an empty password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-37397 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in YugabyteDB 2.6.1 that specifically affects systems utilizing LDAP-based authentication through YCQL connections with Microsoft Active Directory. This issue stems from improper handling of LDAP binding operations when anonymous or unauthenticated LDAP binding is enabled within the database configuration. The flaw allows malicious actors or authorized users with minimal privileges to circumvent the standard authentication mechanisms by leveraging empty password credentials, effectively granting unauthorized access to database resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the LDAP authentication module of YugabyteDB where the system fails to properly validate authentication attempts when anonymous binding is permitted. When Active Directory allows anonymous connections or when the LDAP configuration permits unauthenticated binding, the database server accepts login attempts with empty passwords as valid credentials. This occurs because the authentication logic does not adequately distinguish between legitimate empty password submissions and malicious attempts to exploit the anonymous binding feature. The flaw specifically impacts YCQL (Yugabyte CQL) connections, which are used for Cassandra-compatible query operations within the YugabyteDB ecosystem.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant security risk for organizations relying on YugabyteDB for mission-critical applications where data protection is paramount. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive database information, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized data modification, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors, as the authentication bypass does not require advanced privileges or complex attack vectors. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments where YugabyteDB is deployed.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling anonymous LDAP binding in their YugabyteDB configurations, enforcing strict LDAP authentication policies, and ensuring that Active Directory integration is properly configured with secure authentication mechanisms. The recommended approach involves reviewing and updating LDAP connection parameters to prevent empty password authentication attempts, implementing proper access controls, and conducting comprehensive security audits of database configurations. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network segmentation, monitoring for unusual authentication patterns, and establishing robust incident response procedures to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation.