CVE-2023-51649 in Nautobot
Summary
by MITRE • 12/22/2023
Nautobot is a Network Source of Truth and Network Automation Platform built as a web application atop the Django Python framework with a PostgreSQL or MySQL database. When submitting a Job to run via a Job Button, only the model-level `extras.run_job` permission is checked (i.e., does the user have permission to run Jobs in general). Object-level permissions (i.e., does the user have permission to run this specific Job?) are not enforced by the URL/view used in this case. A user with permissions to run even a single Job can actually run all configured JobButton Jobs. Fix will be available in Nautobot 1.6.8 and 2.1.0
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-51649 represents a critical authorization flaw within Nautobot, a widely used network source of truth and automation platform that leverages the Django Python framework for its web application layer. This security issue specifically affects the job execution mechanism through job buttons, which are integral components for automating network tasks within the platform. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental misconfiguration in the permission checking system that governs how users interact with job execution capabilities, creating a significant security gap that could allow unauthorized access to sensitive network automation functions.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper enforcement of object-level permissions when users attempt to execute jobs through job buttons. While the system correctly validates that users possess the general model-level permission extras.run_job, which grants permission to execute jobs within the platform, it fails to implement proper object-level validation. This means that users who have been granted permission to execute at least one specific job can potentially execute all configured job buttons within the system. The underlying mechanism that handles job button submissions does not perform the necessary checks to verify whether individual users have explicit permission to execute each specific job, creating a scenario where broad permissions can be exploited to gain access to unauthorized job execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple permission bypass, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of Nautobot's job execution system. Network administrators who rely on Nautobot for automation tasks face significant risks when users with minimal job execution permissions can potentially access and execute all available jobs within the platform. This could lead to unauthorized network modifications, data manipulation, or the execution of potentially malicious automation scripts that could compromise network integrity. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where job execution permissions are carefully controlled based on user roles and responsibilities, as it effectively nullifies these access controls for job button operations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with privilege escalation attacks within web applications. The flaw operates at the application layer, specifically within the Django framework's permission handling system, where the distinction between model-level and object-level permissions is not properly enforced. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and could potentially be leveraged to achieve further access within the network automation environment. The fix for this vulnerability will be included in Nautobot versions 1.6.8 and 2.1.0, addressing the core issue by implementing proper object-level permission checking for job button executions. Organizations using Nautobot should prioritize upgrading to these versions to mitigate the risk of unauthorized job execution and maintain the integrity of their network automation workflows. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper permission enforcement in multi-user environments where automation capabilities can have significant operational impact.