CVE-2025-46619 in Server
Summary
by MITRE • 04/30/2025
A security issue has been discovered in Couchbase Server before 7.6.4 and fixed in v.7.6.4 and v.7.2.7 for Windows that could allow unauthorized access to sensitive files. Depending on the level of privileges, this vulnerability may grant access to files such as /etc/passwd or /etc/shadow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical access control flaw in Couchbase Server affecting versions prior to 7.6.4 and 7.2.7 for Windows environments. The security issue stems from improper file system access controls that allow unauthorized users to gain access to sensitive system files that should be restricted to privileged operations only. The vulnerability specifically targets the operating system's core authentication files including /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow on Unix-like systems, though the impact extends to Windows environments where similar privilege escalation mechanisms may exist. This flaw aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control and represents a significant deviation from the principle of least privilege that should govern system file access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely involves insufficient input validation or inadequate permission checks within the Couchbase Server's file access mechanisms. Attackers could exploit this weakness through various vectors including network-based attacks or local privilege escalation attempts where the vulnerability manifests when the server process operates with elevated privileges. The flaw enables unauthorized access to critical system files that contain user account information, password hashes, and other sensitive authentication data that could be leveraged for further compromise. This type of vulnerability falls under ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through compromised credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable full system compromise. Access to /etc/passwd provides enumeration capabilities for user accounts and system configuration details, while access to /etc/shadow exposes password hash information that could be targeted for offline password cracking attacks. Organizations running vulnerable Couchbase Server versions face significant risk of credential theft, unauthorized system access, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability affects both the server's own file system access controls and potentially exposes the underlying operating system to unauthorized access patterns that could be exploited by attackers seeking to escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Couchbase Server installations to versions 7.6.4 or 7.2.7 for Windows environments. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to Couchbase Server ports and services, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. System administrators should conduct thorough access control reviews and implement proper privilege separation for Couchbase Server processes to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. Additional monitoring should be deployed to detect unusual file access patterns or unauthorized attempts to access system authentication files. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege policies for Couchbase Server service accounts and regularly audit file permissions on system files to ensure that unauthorized access attempts are detected and prevented.