CVE-2024-6538: OpenShift Console Vulnerability Exploited by Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF)

A critical flaw has been discovered in the OpenShift Console, a commonly used platform that allows developers to build, deploy, and manage applications in the cloud. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-6538, allows an attacker to carry out a Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF) attack by supplying a URL, either in part or in full, to the server for querying purposes. Unfortunately, due to the lack of network filtering, the server is in a privileged position enabling access to exposed services that may not be readily available to clients. Consequently, the attacker can exploit this SSRF vulnerability to potentially compromise other services, leading to unauthorized access and the disclosure of sensitive information.

Technical Analysis

The affected endpoint responsible for this vulnerability is /api/dev-console/proxy/internet on the OpenShift Console. This endpoint allows authenticated users to have the console's pod perform arbitrary and fully controlled HTTP(s) requests. Moreover, the complete response to these requests is returned by the endpoint. The name of this endpoint implies that the requests are limited to the internet; however, no such checks are in place. As a result, an authenticated user can ask the console to perform arbitrary HTTP requests from outside the cluster to a service inside the cluster.

The following code snippet highlights the vulnerability within the OpenShift Console

GET /api/dev-console/proxy/internet?destination=https://example.com HTTP/1.1
Host: console.openshift.example.com

For more information on this vulnerability, you can refer to the following sources

1. NIST National Vulnerability Database (NVD) - CVE-2024-6538
2. Official OpenShift Security Advisory

Exploit Details

In order to successfully exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must first authenticate as a legitimate user on the OpenShift Console. Next, the attacker can craft a malicious URL with the target destination set to an internal service they wish to compromise. By sending this request to the /api/dev-console/proxy/internet endpoint, the attacker can cause the console's pod to perform arbitrary HTTP requests on their behalf, effectively bypassing network filtering and accessing protected services within the cluster.

Craft the malicious URL

GET /api/dev-console/proxy/internet?destination=http://internal-service.example.cluster HTTP/1.1
Host: console.openshift.example.com

Send the request to the OpenShift Console

4. Retrieve sensitive information, gain unauthorized access, or cause other harmful effects on the target system

Conclusion

CVE-2024-6538 represents a serious vulnerability in the OpenShift Console that, if exploited, can lead to unauthorized access, sensitive information disclosure, and the compromise of other services within the system. It is of utmost importance to ensure that OpenShift deployments are updated promptly and properly following the vendor's security advisory to mitigate any potential risks posed by this vulnerability.

Timeline

Published on: 11/25/2024 07:15:06 UTC
Last modified on: 11/25/2024 07:30:07 UTC