CVE-2017-15091 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2017-15091 pertains to a vulnerability in PowerDNS Authoritative versions 3.x up to and including 3.4.11 and 4.x up to and including 4.0.4 that allows certain unauthorized actions despite being configured as read-only.

Understanding CVE-2017-15091

This CVE identifies a security issue in PowerDNS Authoritative versions 3.x and 4.x that could be exploited by attackers with valid API credentials.

What is CVE-2017-15091?

The vulnerability in PowerDNS Authoritative versions 3.x and 4.x allows attackers to perform actions that affect the server's state, such as clearing the cache, initiating a zone transfer, or sending a NOTIFY, even when configured as read-only.

The Impact of CVE-2017-15091

This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors with valid API credentials to manipulate the server's state, potentially leading to service disruption or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-15091

PowerDNS Authoritative versions 3.x and 4.x are affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Despite being configured as read-only, certain actions that affect the server's state are permitted, enabling attackers with valid API credentials to perform unauthorized operations.

Affected Systems and Versions

PowerDNS Authoritative 3.x up to and including 3.4.11
PowerDNS Authoritative 4.x up to and including 4.0.4

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with valid API credentials can exploit this vulnerability to clear the cache, initiate a zone transfer, or send a NOTIFY, even when the system is configured as read-only.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2017-15091.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update PowerDNS Authoritative to a non-vulnerable version.
Implement strict access controls for API credentials.
Monitor API activities for any unauthorized actions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update access control policies.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches or updates provided by PowerDNS to address this vulnerability.