CVE-2024-6895 in Yugabyte
Summary
by MITRE • 07/19/2024
Insufficient authentication in user account management in Yugabyte Platform allows local network attackers with a compromised user session to change critical security information without re-authentication. An attacker with user session and access to application can modify settings such as password and email without being prompted for the current password, enabling account takeover.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6895 represents a critical authentication flaw within the Yugabyte Platform's user account management system. This weakness resides in the platform's insufficient authentication mechanisms that govern security-sensitive operations, creating a significant risk for unauthorized access and account compromise. The vulnerability specifically affects the platform's ability to enforce proper re-authentication procedures when users attempt to modify critical account settings, undermining the fundamental security principles that protect user identities and system integrity.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows attackers to exploit a compromised user session to perform unauthorized modifications to account security parameters without the required verification steps. When an attacker gains access to a valid user session token, they can leverage this privilege to alter password and email address configurations without being prompted to authenticate with their current credentials. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement, as the system fails to validate the user's identity for security-sensitive operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk landscape for organizations utilizing Yugabyte Platform, as it enables attackers to achieve account takeover with minimal additional effort beyond acquiring an existing session. The local network attack vector suggests that the threat actor does not need to overcome additional network security controls, making the exploitation more straightforward and increasing the attack surface. This weakness directly impacts the platform's ability to maintain user account integrity and can lead to unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically the use of credential access methods to compromise user accounts. Organizations implementing Yugabyte Platform must recognize this vulnerability as a critical threat that could allow attackers to establish persistent access to user accounts and potentially escalate privileges within their database environments. The impact extends beyond individual account compromise to potentially affect the entire database platform security posture.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust re-authentication requirements for all security-sensitive operations, including password changes, email updates, and other critical account modifications. Organizations should enforce mandatory authentication prompts before allowing any modification to account security parameters, regardless of existing session validity. Additionally, implementing session management best practices including session timeout mechanisms, secure token handling, and monitoring for unauthorized account modifications will help reduce the risk exposure. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls and ensure that proper authentication mechanisms are functioning as intended.