CVE-2017-3164 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Apache Solr Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF) Vulnerability

Understanding CVE-2017-3164

What is CVE-2017-3164?

The vulnerability known as Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF) has been found in Apache Solr, specifically in versions 1.3 through 7.6. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to exploit the absence of a whitelist mechanism for the "shards" parameter. By exploiting this vulnerability, the attacker can compel Solr to execute an HTTP GET request to any URL that is accessible.

The Impact of CVE-2017-3164

This vulnerability in Apache Solr can be exploited by a remote attacker to perform unauthorized HTTP GET requests to potentially sensitive URLs, leading to data leakage or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-3164

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the lack of a whitelist mechanism for the "shards" parameter in Apache Solr versions 1.3 through 7.6, enabling SSRF attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Apache Solr
Vendor: Apache Software Foundation
Affected Versions: 1.3.0 to 1.4.1, 3.1.0 to 3.6.2, 4.0.0 to 4.10.4, 5.0.0 to 5.5.5, 6.0.0 to 6.6.5, 7.0.0 to 7.6.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The attacker can manipulate the "shards" parameter to force Apache Solr to make HTTP GET requests to arbitrary URLs, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or leakage.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security patches provided by Apache Software Foundation for Apache Solr.
Implement network controls to restrict access to Apache Solr instances.
Monitor and analyze network traffic for any suspicious SSRF activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Apache Solr installations to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Educate users and administrators about the risks of SSRF attacks and best practices for secure configuration.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all Apache Solr instances are updated to the latest patched versions to address the SSRF vulnerability.