CVE-2023-0872 in Horizon
Summary
by MITRE • 08/14/2023
The Horizon REST API includes a users endpoint in OpenMNS Horizon 31.0.8 and versions earlier than 32.0.2 on multiple platforms is vulnerable to elevation of privilege. The solution is to upgrade to Meridian 2023.1.6, 2022.1.19, 2021.1.30, 2020.1.38 or Horizon 32.0.2 or newer. Meridian and Horizon installation instructions state that they are intended for installation within an organization's private networks and should not be directly accessible from the Internet.
OpenNMS thanks Erik Wynter for reporting this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0872 affects the Horizon REST API within OpenNMS versions up to 31.0.8 and earlier than 32.0.2, presenting a critical elevation of privilege flaw that could allow unauthorized users to gain elevated system access. This issue specifically targets the users endpoint within the REST API framework, which serves as a critical interface for user management and authentication within the OpenNMS monitoring platform. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and authentication checks within the API endpoint, potentially enabling malicious actors to manipulate user permissions and escalate their privileges within the system.
The technical flaw manifests through improper authorization validation within the Horizon REST API's users endpoint implementation. This weakness allows authenticated users with limited privileges to exploit the API functionality and potentially gain administrative access to the monitoring platform. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and represents a classic privilege escalation scenario where insufficient access controls permit unauthorized elevation of user permissions. Attackers could leverage this flaw to modify user accounts, create new administrative users, or gain complete control over the monitoring infrastructure through the exposed API endpoint.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple security compromise, as it fundamentally undermines the integrity of the OpenNMS monitoring environment. Organizations relying on Horizon for network monitoring and management could face complete system takeover, leading to potential data exfiltration, service disruption, and compromise of critical network infrastructure visibility. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive monitoring data, disruption of network operations, and potential lateral movement within the organization's network infrastructure. This risk is particularly severe given that OpenNMS systems are typically deployed in enterprise environments where they serve as critical infrastructure monitoring tools.
Security mitigations for CVE-2023-0872 primarily involve upgrading to the patched versions of Meridian or Horizon as specified in the advisory, including versions 2023.1.6, 2022.1.19, 2021.1.30, 2020.1.38, or Horizon 32.0.2 and newer. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to ensure that these systems are not directly accessible from the internet, as recommended in the vendor's installation guidelines. Additional protective measures include implementing robust network access controls, monitoring API access logs for suspicious activities, and ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the Horizon REST API endpoints. The vulnerability's remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation tactics. Organizations should also consider implementing zero-trust network principles and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in their infrastructure.