CVE-2018-20091 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security flaw related to SQL injection has been discovered in versions 1.4.0 through 1.4.2 of Cloudera Data Science Workbench (CDSW). This vulnerability allows authenticated users to execute unauthorized queries on the internal database of CDSW, potentially exposing sensitive information such as user contact details, encrypted passwords, API keys, and stored Kerberos keytabs.

Understanding CVE-2018-20091

This CVE identifies an SQL injection vulnerability in Cloudera Data Science Workbench (CDSW) versions 1.4.0 through 1.4.2.

What is CVE-2018-20091?

An SQL injection vulnerability in CDSW that permits authenticated users to run arbitrary queries on the internal database, compromising sensitive data.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20091

The vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to and manipulation of critical information stored in the CDSW database, including user contact details, encrypted passwords, API keys, and Kerberos keytabs.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20091

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows any authenticated user to execute unauthorized queries on the CDSW internal database, potentially leading to data exposure and manipulation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions 1.4.0 through 1.4.2 of Cloudera Data Science Workbench (CDSW) are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious SQL queries through the application interface, taking advantage of insufficient input validation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-20091 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update CDSW to a patched version that addresses the SQL injection vulnerability.
Monitor database activities for any suspicious queries or unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation mechanisms to prevent SQL injection attacks.
Regularly audit and review database access controls and user permissions.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Cloudera to fix the SQL injection vulnerability in affected CDSW versions.