CVE-2023-3517 in Pentaho Data Integration & Analytics
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2023
Hitachi Vantara Pentaho Data Integration & Analytics versions before 9.5.0.1 and 9.3.0.5, including 8.3.x does not restrict JNDI identifiers during the creation of XActions, allowing control of system level data sources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3517 affects Hitachi Vantara Pentaho Data Integration & Analytics platforms across multiple versions including 8.3.x series and prior to 9.5.0.1 and 9.3.0.5. This security flaw resides in the XActions creation process where the system fails to properly validate and restrict JNDI (Java Naming and Directory Interface) identifiers. The issue represents a critical authorization bypass vulnerability that allows unauthorized users to manipulate system-level data sources through crafted JNDI references within XAction files. This weakness enables attackers to potentially access sensitive data sources and system resources that should otherwise be restricted to authorized administrators only.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient input validation mechanism during XAction file processing where JNDI identifiers are not properly sanitized or restricted. When users create or process XAction files, the system accepts JNDI references without adequate validation of their legitimacy or scope. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and CWE-770 Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling, as it allows for uncontrolled resource access through malformed JNDI references. The vulnerability can be exploited through specially crafted XAction files that contain malicious JNDI identifiers pointing to unauthorized data sources or system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the ability to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to system-level data sources. An attacker who can influence the creation or processing of XAction files can manipulate the JNDI references to point to external LDAP servers or other malicious data sources, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or unauthorized data access. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Pentaho platforms are used for data integration and analytics, as it could allow attackers to access sensitive business data or manipulate critical data flows. The attack surface extends to any user who can create or modify XAction files, potentially including less privileged users within the organization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-3517 should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions to 9.5.0.1 or 9.3.0.5 and subsequent releases. Organizations should implement strict access controls and file validation mechanisms for XAction file creation and processing, ensuring that only authorized personnel can generate or modify these files. Network segmentation and monitoring of JNDI traffic should be implemented to detect and prevent unauthorized JNDI lookups. Additionally, organizations should review and restrict JNDI configuration settings within the Pentaho environment, disabling unnecessary JNDI lookups and implementing proper input validation for all user-supplied data. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as it can be exploited through social engineering to gain access to systems where XAction files can be created, and under T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application to leverage the vulnerability in a broader attack chain.