CVE-2022-31028 : Security Advisory and Response

MinIO, a multi-cloud object storage solution, is affected by a vulnerability that can lead to a possible DDoS attack through establishing keep-alive connections with anonymous HTTP clients. This CVE, identified as CVE-2022-31028, poses a significant risk to public-facing MinIO deployments. It is crucial to understand the details of this vulnerability, its impact, and how to mitigate it.

Understanding CVE-2022-31028

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2022-31028 vulnerability, providing insights into the issue's nature and its implications.

What is CVE-2022-31028?

CVE-2022-31028 highlights a vulnerability in MinIO versions starting from RELEASE.2019-09-25T18-25-51Z up to but not including RELEASE.2022-06-02T02-11-04Z. The vulnerability allows for an unending go-routine buildup due to HTTP clients failing to close connections, potentially leading to a DDoS attack. Public-facing MinIO instances are particularly vulnerable.

The Impact of CVE-2022-31028

The impact of CVE-2022-31028 is rated as HIGH, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5. It poses a serious threat to the availability of affected systems. While the vulnerability does not directly impact confidentiality or integrity, it requires immediate attention to prevent exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-31028

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability, including its descriptions, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in MinIO results in an uncontrolled resource consumption scenario, leading to an unending go-routine buildup and potential DDoS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

MinIO versions from RELEASE.2019-09-25T18-25-51Z to RELEASE.2022-06-02T02-11-04Z are affected by CVE-2022-31028. Users of these versions are at risk of DDoS attacks exploiting this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability arises from HTTP clients failing to close connections. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish keep-alive connections and exhaust system resources, causing performance degradation or service unavailability.

Mitigation and Prevention

In response to CVE-2022-31028, it is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risk and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are strongly advised to upgrade to MinIO version RELEASE.2022-06-02T02-11-04Z or newer, where a patch addressing the vulnerability is available. Additionally, implementing a reverse proxy to limit connection attempts and reject connections from malicious clients can help mitigate the risk.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance long-term security, organizations should regularly update MinIO to the latest secure versions, conduct vulnerability assessments, and monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from MinIO. Promptly apply patches and updates as soon as they are released to ensure that your environment is protected against known vulnerabilities and threats.