The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) list, which identifies publicly known security vulnerabilities and their associated solutions, recently reported vulnerability CVE-2022-24706. This vulnerability pertains to Apache CouchDB, an open-source document-oriented NoSQL database system. It reveals an issue in CouchDB versions prior to 3.2.2 that allows an attacker to access an improperly secured default installation without authenticating and thus gain admin privileges. This long read post covers the code snippet, links to original references, and exploit details to help you stay informed and protected.

Exploit Details

The vulnerability allows an attacker to access an improperly secured CouchDB installation without authentication by using administrative endpoints and gaining admin privileges. Although the CouchDB documentation recommends properly securing an installation and using a firewall in front of all CouchDB installations, some users may have neglected these best practices, making their systems more susceptible to this exploit.

Once an attacker has access to the system, they have the ability to create, modify, or delete data. They also have the potential to carry out further attacks on a network or the wider internet using the compromised CouchDB instance.

Code Snippet

Here is a simple example of how an attacker might exploit the vulnerability using curl command-line tool:

$ curl -X PUT http://<target_couchdb_server>:5984/_users/org.couchdb.user:<new_admin_username>; \
  -H "Accept: application/json" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"type":"user","name":"<new_admin_username>","roles":["_admin"],"password":"<new_admin_password>"}'

This command sends a PUT request to the target CouchDB server and creates a new admin user with the specified username and password. By adding the user to the "_admin" role, the attacker gains full control over the CouchDB instance.

CVE-2022-24706 - Official Details

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-24706

Apache CouchDB Security

https://docs.couchdb.org/en/main/intro/security.html

Apache CouchDB 3.2.2 Release Notes

https://docs.couchdb.org/en/latest/whatsnew/3.2.html#release-3-2-2

CouchDB Documentation: Securing Your CouchDB

https://docs.couchdb.org/en/main/intro/secure.html

Users are highly encouraged to upgrade to Apache CouchDB 3.2.2 or later, which includes a fix for the vulnerability. Implementing a firewall in front of the CouchDB installation, as recommended by the official documentation, can help significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the database. Additionally, make sure to change default passwords and disable the default administrator account. Users should strictly follow the official security guidelines and recommended practices when installing and configuring CouchDB.

Conclusion

CVE-2022-24706 highlights the importance of securing your Apache CouchDB installations and practicing proper security measures. By upgrading to the latest version, implementing a firewall, and following recommended security guidelines, you can better protect your system from unauthorized access and potential attacks. Stay vigilant, and always prioritize the security of your digital infrastructure.

Timeline

Published on: 04/26/2022 10:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 07/13/2022 18:15:00 UTC