CVE-2024-32030 in kafka-ui
Summary
by MITRE • 06/19/2024
Kafka UI is an Open-Source Web UI for Apache Kafka Management. Kafka UI API allows users to connect to different Kafka brokers by specifying their network address and port. As a separate feature, it also provides the ability to monitor the performance of Kafka brokers by connecting to their JMX ports. JMX is based on the RMI protocol, so it is inherently susceptible to deserialization attacks. A potential attacker can exploit this feature by connecting Kafka UI backend to its own malicious broker. This vulnerability affects the deployments where one of the following occurs: 1. dynamic.config.enabled property is set in settings. It's not enabled by default, but it's suggested to be enabled in many tutorials for Kafka UI, including its own README.md. OR 2. an attacker has access to the Kafka cluster that is being connected to Kafka UI. In this scenario the attacker can exploit this vulnerability to expand their access and execute code on Kafka UI as well. Instead of setting up a legitimate JMX port, an attacker can create an RMI listener that returns a malicious serialized object for any RMI call. In the worst case it could lead to remote code execution as Kafka UI has the required gadget chains in its classpath. This issue may lead to post-auth remote code execution. This is particularly dangerous as Kafka-UI does not have authentication enabled by default. This issue has been addressed in version 0.7.2. All users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability. These issues were discovered and reported by the GitHub Security lab and is also tracked as GHSL-2023-230.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2024-32030 represents a critical security flaw in Kafka UI, an open-source web interface for Apache Kafka management that affects deployments where dynamic configuration is enabled or when attackers gain access to connected Kafka clusters. This vulnerability stems from the application's ability to connect to Kafka brokers via JMX ports, which utilize the RMI protocol inherently susceptible to deserialization attacks. The flaw manifests when Kafka UI attempts to establish connections to JMX endpoints, creating opportunities for remote code execution through malicious serialized objects. The vulnerability specifically targets the deserialization process that occurs when Kafka UI communicates with JMX endpoints, making it particularly dangerous given that Kafka UI does not enforce authentication by default, allowing unauthorized access to exploit this weakness. The issue is categorized under CWE-502, which addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through deserialization attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to establish a malicious RMI listener that returns serialized objects designed to execute arbitrary code upon deserialization. When dynamic.config.enabled is set to true in the settings, the vulnerability becomes more accessible as it allows configuration changes that could potentially lead to the execution of malicious code through the JMX monitoring feature. This configuration setting, while not enabled by default, is commonly recommended in various tutorials including the official README.md, making it a widespread potential attack vector. The attack scenario involves creating a malicious broker that responds to RMI calls with serialized objects containing gadget chains present in Kafka UI's classpath, effectively allowing attackers to execute code remotely on the Kafka UI server. This represents a post-authentication remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited without requiring valid credentials, as the default configuration lacks authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability impacts the integrity and confidentiality of Kafka deployments, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over the Kafka UI application and potentially escalate privileges to access underlying Kafka clusters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete compromise of Kafka UI servers and potentially the entire Kafka ecosystem. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could access sensitive data, modify configurations, disrupt services, and establish persistent access points within the infrastructure. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that Kafka UI deployments often run in environments where authentication is not enforced by default, creating a wide attack surface. Organizations using Kafka UI without proper security configurations face significant risk, particularly when dynamic configuration is enabled, as this setting can be easily misconfigured during initial setup or through documentation guidance. The vulnerability affects not only the Kafka UI application itself but also the broader Kafka infrastructure that it manages, potentially allowing attackers to pivot from the UI server to access other systems within the network. This makes it a particularly dangerous vulnerability for enterprise environments where Kafka UI is used for cluster monitoring and management, as it provides a pathway for attackers to expand their access and execute malicious activities. The vulnerability's detection is challenging because it relies on legitimate JMX monitoring features that are typically enabled for operational purposes, making it difficult to distinguish between normal monitoring traffic and malicious exploitation attempts. The fix implemented in version 0.7.2 addresses the deserialization vulnerability by removing or properly sanitizing the gadget chains that could be exploited, requiring all users to upgrade their installations to prevent exploitation. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly around deserialization of untrusted data, and demonstrates how seemingly benign monitoring features can become attack vectors when not properly secured. The vulnerability's discovery by the GitHub Security lab underscores the ongoing need for security research and vulnerability assessment in open-source projects, particularly those managing critical infrastructure components like Apache Kafka. Organizations should implement proper network segmentation, disable unnecessary features, and ensure that all security patches are applied promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.