CVE-2019-3876 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

OpenShift Container Platform version v3.0 through v3.11 by Red Hat is affected by a vulnerability in the OAuth server's /oauth/token/request custom endpoint, leading to the generation of cross-site scripting (XSS) CLI tokens due to missing security protections.

Understanding CVE-2019-3876

The vulnerability in the OpenShift OAuth server can result in the unauthorized retrieval of XSS CLI tokens, potentially exposing sensitive information.

What is CVE-2019-3876?

The absence of X-Frame-Options and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protections in the /oauth/token/request endpoint of the OpenShift OAuth server can lead to the creation of XSS CLI tokens, posing a security risk.

The Impact of CVE-2019-3876

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to retrieve XSS CLI tokens, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the OpenShift Container Platform.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-3876

The vulnerability is rated with a CVSS base score of 5.0, indicating a medium severity level with high attack complexity and network-based attack vector.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the /oauth/token/request endpoint of the OpenShift OAuth server can result in the generation of XSS CLI tokens due to the lack of X-Frame-Options and CSRF protections.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: web-console
Vendor: Red Hat
Versions affected: OpenShift Container Platform version v3.0 through v3.11

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to create XSS CLI tokens, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data retrieval.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take:

Apply security patches provided by Red Hat to address the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict access to the /oauth/token/request endpoint to prevent unauthorized activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the OpenShift Container Platform to mitigate security risks.
Implement security best practices such as enabling X-Frame-Options and CSRF protections to enhance the platform's security.

Patching and Updates

Red Hat has released security advisories (RHSA-2019:1851) containing patches to fix the vulnerability in the OpenShift Container Platform.