CVE-2023-45875 in Couchbase
Summary
by MITRE • 11/08/2023
An issue was discovered in Couchbase Server 7.2.0. There is a private key leak in debug.log while adding a pre-7.0 node to a 7.2 cluster.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-45875 represents a critical security flaw in Couchbase Server version 7.2.0 that exposes private cryptographic keys through debug logging mechanisms. This issue occurs during the process of integrating legacy pre-7.0 nodes into a modern 7.2 cluster environment, creating a significant risk for organizations maintaining mixed-version deployments. The flaw demonstrates poor security hygiene in the logging subsystem where sensitive cryptographic material should never be exposed under any circumstances, regardless of the operational context or debugging requirements. The vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the entire cluster by potentially exposing private keys that could be leveraged for unauthorized access and privilege escalation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the debug.log file generation process within the Couchbase Server 7.2.0 codebase. When a pre-7.0 node attempts to join a 7.2 cluster, the system generates diagnostic information that inadvertently includes private key material in plaintext format within the debug logging output. This represents a fundamental failure in secure logging practices where sensitive information should be filtered or obfuscated before being written to log files. The vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure weaknesses as defined by CWE-200, specifically involving the improper handling of sensitive data in system logs. The flaw demonstrates inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to distinguish between legitimate debugging information and confidential cryptographic material.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-45875 extends beyond immediate security concerns to encompass potential long-term compromise of cluster integrity and data confidentiality. Attackers who gain access to the debug.log files can extract private keys and use them to impersonate legitimate cluster nodes or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stores. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations running mixed-version Couchbase environments where legacy systems must coexist with newer deployments, creating a window of opportunity for adversaries to exploit the information disclosure. The risk is amplified when considering that debug logs are often stored in accessible locations and may not be properly secured or rotated, allowing persistent access to the compromised key material. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through credential dumping and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage in command and control communications.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling debug logging for production environments, implementing proper log file access controls, and ensuring that all debug logs containing sensitive information are properly sanitized before storage. The recommended remediation approach involves upgrading to Couchbase Server versions that address this vulnerability through proper key material handling and logging sanitization. System administrators should conduct thorough log file audits to identify any instances where the vulnerable debug.log files may have been exposed to unauthorized personnel. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls around log storage systems can help minimize the impact of potential exposure. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure logging practices and proper information classification in distributed database systems, aligning with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 control SI-7 for system configuration and security logging requirements. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in other system components and ensure comprehensive protection of cryptographic assets.