CoreOS etcd Role-Based Access Control Authentication Vulnerability [CVE-2018-16886]
CVE Number – CVE-2018-16886
A vulnerability in CoreOS etcd could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass security restrictions and gain unauthorized access. The vulnerability is due to improper certificate validation when role-based access control (RBAC) is used. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious requests to the affected application. An exploit could allow the attacker to bypass security restrictions and gain unauthorized access to the targeted system. Proof-of-concept (PoC) code that demonstrates an exploit of this vulnerability is publicly available. CoreOS has confirmed the vulnerability and released software updates.
Analysis
- To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must send a malicious request to the targeted system, making exploitation more difficult in environments that restrict network access from untrusted sources.
Safeguards
- Administrators are advised to allow only trusted users to have network access. Administrators are advised to run both firewall and antivirus applications to minimize the potential of inbound and outbound threats. Administrators may consider using IP-based access control lists (ACLs) to allow only trusted systems to access the affected systems. Administrators can help protect affected systems from external attacks by using a solid firewall strategy. Administrators are advised to monitor affected systems.
Vendor Announcements
- CoreOS has released a change log at the following link: Changelog-3.2
Fixed Software
- CoreOS has released updated software at the following link: etcd 3.3.26 or 3.3.11
Duncan is a technology professional with over 20 years experience of working in various IT roles. He has a interest in cyber security, and has a wide range of other skills in radio, electronics and telecommunications.