CVE-2018-18850 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2018-18850 affecting Octopus Deploy versions 2018.8.0 through 2018.9.x. Find out how an authenticated user could execute arbitrary code remotely.
Octopus Deploy versions 2018.8.0 through 2018.9.x (prior to 2018.9.1) are vulnerable to a critical issue that allows an authenticated user to execute arbitrary code remotely by uploading a maliciously crafted YAML configuration.
Understanding CVE-2018-18850
This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in Octopus Deploy versions 2018.8.0 through 2018.9.x.
What is CVE-2018-18850?
In Octopus Deploy versions 2018.8.0 through 2018.9.x (before 2018.9.1), an authenticated user with deployment process editing authority can upload a specially crafted YAML configuration. This upload could result in the remote execution of arbitrary code within the Octopus Server's environment.
The Impact of CVE-2018-18850
The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to the execution of arbitrary code in the context of the Octopus Server, typically running as SYSTEM in self-hosted installations.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-18850
This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allows an authenticated user to upload a malicious YAML configuration, potentially enabling the remote execution of arbitrary code.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Versions affected: 2018.8.0 through 2018.9.x (prior to 2018.9.1)
- Systems: Octopus Deploy installations within the affected version range
Exploitation Mechanism
The exploitation involves an authenticated user uploading a specially crafted YAML configuration, triggering the execution of arbitrary code remotely.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protect your systems from CVE-2018-18850 with the following steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Upgrade Octopus Deploy to version 2018.9.1 or later.
- Restrict user permissions to mitigate the risk of unauthorized code execution.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly review and update security configurations.
- Conduct security training for users to prevent similar incidents.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches promptly to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.