CVE-2018-1296 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Apache Hadoop versions 3.0.0-alpha1 to 3.0.0, 2.9.0, 2.8.0 to 2.8.3, and 2.5.0 to 2.7.5 are affected by an information disclosure vulnerability related to extended attribute key/value pairs in HDFS.

Understanding CVE-2018-1296

This CVE involves a security issue in Apache Hadoop that could lead to unauthorized access to extended attribute key/value pairs in HDFS.

What is CVE-2018-1296?

In Apache Hadoop versions specified, the listXAttrs function exposes extended attribute key/value pairs, allowing access with only path-level search permissions rather than path-level read permissions.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1296

This vulnerability could result in unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored in extended attributes within HDFS, potentially leading to data breaches and privacy violations.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1296

Apache Hadoop CVE-2018-1296 involves the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows unauthorized access to extended attribute key/value pairs in HDFS during the listXAttrs function, bypassing the need for path-level read permissions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Apache Hadoop
Vendor: Apache Software Foundation
Versions Affected: Apache Hadoop 3.0.0-alpha1 to 3.0.0, 2.9.0, 2.8.0 to 2.8.3, 2.5.0 to 2.7.5

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by leveraging the listXAttrs function in affected versions to gain unauthorized access to extended attribute key/value pairs without requiring path-level read permissions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-1296, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Apache Software Foundation promptly.
Restrict access to sensitive data stored in extended attributes within HDFS.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit access to extended attributes in HDFS.
Implement least privilege access controls to limit unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Apache Software Foundation.
Keep Apache Hadoop installations up to date to mitigate known vulnerabilities.