CVE-2023-46255 in spicedb
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2023
SpiceDB is an open source, Google Zanzibar-inspired database for creating and managing security-critical application permissions. Prior to version 1.27.0, when the provided datastore URI is malformed (e.g. by having a password which contains `:`) the full URI (including the provided password) is printed, so that the password is shown in the logs. Version 1.27.0 patches this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-46255 affects SpiceDB, an open source database system designed for managing application permissions using a Google Zanzibar-inspired architecture. This system serves as a critical component in security infrastructure, handling sensitive access control information that governs user permissions within applications. The flaw manifests in the error handling mechanism when processing datastore connection URIs, specifically exposing sensitive authentication credentials in system logs. This represents a significant security risk as it directly violates fundamental principles of credential protection and secure logging practices that are essential for maintaining the confidentiality of authentication information.
The technical implementation flaw occurs within the URI parsing and validation logic of SpiceDB's datastore connection handling. When a malformed URI is provided, particularly one containing special characters such as colons in the password field, the system fails to properly sanitize the URI before logging error messages. This results in the complete URI, including the password component, being written to system logs where it becomes accessible to any entity with access to the logging infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization, allowing raw credential information to escape into log files where it can be easily extracted and potentially exploited by malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of systems relying on SpiceDB for access control management. Attackers who gain access to system logs can directly extract database passwords, enabling them to bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially gain unauthorized access to protected resources. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where SpiceDB is deployed in production systems with sensitive data, as the exposure of database credentials can lead to complete system compromise. The risk is amplified by the fact that logging systems are often less secured than the primary application systems, making them attractive targets for credential harvesting attacks.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which addresses the exposure of exception information, and CWE-312, which covers the exposure of sensitive information through log files. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1562.001, which involves disabling or modifying system defenses, as the exposure of credentials through logs effectively weakens the overall security posture. Additionally, it relates to T1528, which covers the theft of credentials, as attackers can directly extract authentication information from the exposed log entries. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insecure logging practices that violates fundamental security principles and requires immediate remediation through proper input sanitization and output filtering mechanisms.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2023-46255 involves upgrading to SpiceDB version 1.27.0 or later, which implements proper URI sanitization before logging error messages. Organizations should also review their logging configurations to ensure that sensitive information is never written to logs, implementing comprehensive log filtering and sanitization policies. Security teams should conduct regular audits of their logging infrastructure to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities, while also implementing monitoring solutions to detect potential credential exposure in log files. The fix demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output sanitization in security-critical applications, particularly those handling authentication information.