CVE-2018-16947 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Discover the impact of CVE-2018-16947, a security flaw in OpenAFS versions prior to 1.6.23 and 1.8.x before 1.8.2, allowing unauthorized users to manipulate backup data and volume contents.
A vulnerability has been found in versions of OpenAFS earlier than 1.6.23 and 1.8.x before 1.8.2, allowing unauthorized users to manipulate the backup database and volume contents.
Understanding CVE-2018-16947
This CVE identifies a security flaw in OpenAFS versions that could be exploited by attackers to perform unauthorized operations with administrator privileges.
What is CVE-2018-16947?
CVE-2018-16947 is a vulnerability in the backup tape controller process (butc) of OpenAFS, enabling unauthenticated users to execute actions with admin rights, such as altering the backup database and volume data.
The Impact of CVE-2018-16947
The lack of authentication in the butc process allows malicious actors to replace volume content with arbitrary data, potentially leading to data corruption or unauthorized access.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-16947
This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The backup tape controller process in OpenAFS versions prior to 1.6.23 and 1.8.x before 1.8.2 accepts incoming RPCs without authentication, enabling unauthorized users to perform actions with admin privileges.
Affected Systems and Versions
- OpenAFS versions earlier than 1.6.23
- OpenAFS 1.8.x before 1.8.2
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending RPCs to the butc process without authentication, allowing them to manipulate the backup database and volume contents.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2018-16947 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update OpenAFS to version 1.6.23 or 1.8.2 to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor and restrict network access to critical systems.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement strong authentication mechanisms for RPCs in OpenAFS.
- Regularly audit and review access controls to prevent unauthorized actions.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches provided by OpenAFS promptly to address the vulnerability.