CVE-2017-16613 : Security Advisory and Response
Discover the impact of CVE-2017-16613, a vulnerability in OpenStack Swauth allowing attackers to bypass authentication. Learn about affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability was found in middleware.py in OpenStack Swauth version 1.2.0 and earlier, impacting the authentication mechanism when used with OpenStack Swift. Attackers can exploit this issue to bypass authentication.
Understanding CVE-2017-16613
This CVE highlights a security flaw in the interaction between OpenStack Swauth and Swift, potentially allowing unauthorized access to resources.
What is CVE-2017-16613?
The vulnerability in OpenStack Swauth allows attackers to bypass authentication by manipulating tokens in the X-Auth-Token header of a new request.
The Impact of CVE-2017-16613
The vulnerability enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to resources by exploiting the authentication mechanism, potentially leading to data breaches and unauthorized actions.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-16613
This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The issue arises from OpenStack Swauth saving unhashed tokens obtained through the authentication mechanism to a log file, allowing attackers to insert tokens into the X-Auth-Token header.
Affected Systems and Versions
- OpenStack Swauth version 1.2.0 and earlier
- OpenStack Swift version 2.15.1 and earlier
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can bypass authentication by adding a token to the X-Auth-Token header of a new request, exploiting the logging of unhashed tokens.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2017-16613 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Upgrade OpenStack Swauth and Swift to patched versions
- Monitor and restrict access to sensitive resources
- Implement additional authentication layers
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regular security audits and assessments
- Employee training on secure coding practices
- Implementing least privilege access controls
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches provided by OpenStack for Swauth and Swift
- Stay informed about security advisories and updates from OpenStack