CVE-2023-37582 in RocketMQ
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2023
The RocketMQ NameServer component still has a remote command execution vulnerability as the CVE-2023-33246 issue was not completely fixed in version 5.1.1.
When NameServer address are leaked on the extranet and lack permission verification, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability by using the update configuration function on the NameServer component to execute commands as the system users that RocketMQ is running as.
It is recommended for users to upgrade their NameServer version to 5.1.2 or above for RocketMQ 5.x or 4.9.7 or above for RocketMQ 4.x to prevent these attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2023
The CVE-2023-37582 vulnerability represents a critical remote command execution flaw in the RocketMQ NameServer component that demonstrates the persistence of security issues even after supposed patches. This vulnerability arises from incomplete remediation of the earlier CVE-2023-33246, indicating a failure in the security review process and highlighting the importance of thorough vulnerability assessment. The vulnerability specifically affects RocketMQ versions 5.1.1 and below, with the issue manifesting when NameServer addresses are exposed to external networks without proper authentication mechanisms. The root cause lies in the insufficient permission verification within the update configuration function of the NameServer component, which allows unauthorized remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the system user running RocketMQ.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the NameServer's configuration update functionality, which lacks adequate access controls and input validation. When NameServer addresses are accessible from external networks, attackers can leverage this exposure to manipulate the configuration update endpoint and execute system commands directly on the server. This privilege escalation occurs because the system runs with elevated permissions, typically as a dedicated service user, allowing the attacker to gain full control over the RocketMQ NameServer process and potentially the underlying operating system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-74 and CWE-78 standards, representing a code injection flaw that allows arbitrary command execution, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreter usage.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-37582 is severe and multifaceted, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and service disruption for organizations relying on RocketMQ for message queuing. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, install backdoors, or deploy additional malware on compromised systems. The exposure of NameServer addresses on external networks creates an immediate attack surface that can be exploited by automated scanning tools, making organizations with improperly configured firewalls or exposed services particularly vulnerable. The vulnerability also affects the integrity and availability of message queuing services, potentially leading to data loss or message corruption in distributed systems. Organizations using RocketMQ in production environments face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches when running vulnerable versions of the software.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions of RocketMQ, specifically version 5.1.2 or higher for RocketMQ 5.x installations and 4.9.7 or higher for RocketMQ 4.x deployments. This upgrade addresses the incomplete fix from CVE-2023-33246 and implements proper authentication mechanisms for the NameServer configuration update functions. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to restrict access to NameServer components, ensuring that these services are not exposed to external networks without proper security controls. Additional mitigations include implementing strict firewall rules, enabling authentication and authorization for all NameServer endpoints, and conducting regular security assessments to identify potential exposure of critical components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper security configuration and the necessity of comprehensive vulnerability management processes to prevent similar issues from persisting across software releases.