This vulnerability allows HashiCorp Consul and Consul Enterprise versions up to 1.11.8, 1.12.4, and 1.13.1 to be exploited due to improper checks on multiple SAN URI values in a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) on the internal RPC endpoint. As a result, attackers can leverage privileged access to bypass service mesh intentions. This issue has been addressed in versions 1.11.9, 1.12.5, and 1.13.2.
The severity of this vulnerability is classified as medium with a CVSS score of 6.5. The risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive services, which can lead to significant integrity impacts.
As this vulnerability is present in several versions of HashiCorp Consul, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to prevent exploitation. This vulnerability is not currently listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, however, the absence of public exploits does not diminish its potential impact.
Organizations using affected versions should take immediate action to upgrade to the patched versions to mitigate any risks associated with this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is characterized by the failure of HashiCorp Consul and Consul Enterprise to validate multiple SAN URI values in a CSR on the internal RPC endpoint. This oversight can enable attackers with privileged access to bypass service mesh intentions. The issue has been documented as CWE-252, indicating improper validation of input.
The CVSS version 3.1 score for this vulnerability is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is low, meaning that exploitation does not require specialized conditions.
The vulnerability affects all versions of HashiCorp Consul prior to the patched versions 1.11.9, 1.12.5, and 1.13.2, as listed in the configurations section of this CVE.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of the SAN URI values in CSRs, which can lead to a bypass of intended service mesh security policies. The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, allowing remote exploitation without requiring user interaction.
Given that low privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, an attacker with basic access could potentially exploit the vulnerability without needing additional permissions. No user interaction is necessary, which increases the risk of exploitation.
In terms of confidentiality impact, there is none, while the integrity impact is high due to the ability to bypass service mesh intentions. However, the availability impact is none, meaning that the exploitation of this vulnerability does not disrupt service availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to bypass security controls within the service mesh framework. This can lead to unauthorized access or manipulation of sensitive services, impacting the integrity of data and service operations.
Given the nature of the vulnerability and its presence in widely used software, organizations should understand the importance of timely patching. The potential blast radius can be extensive given that many services may rely on the affected versions of Consul and Consul Enterprise.
With a CVSS score of 6.5, the urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability should be classified as high. Immediate action is recommended to mitigate the risks associated with this flaw.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of HashiCorp Consul and Consul Enterprise include all versions prior to the following patches: 1.11.9, 1.12.5, and 1.13.2.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should upgrade to the patched versions 1.11.9, 1.12.5, and 1.13.2 of HashiCorp Consul and Consul Enterprise to mitigate this vulnerability.
Configuration hardening and network controls can further enhance security posture against potential exploitation.
For more information on penetration testing and its benefits, organizations can refer to the comprehensive guide on penetration testing offered by AppSecure.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unauthorized access attempts and review behavioral anomalies that could suggest exploitation.
Network signatures for unusual RPC requests should also be established to help detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in its potential to disrupt service mesh integrity and security. It exemplifies the need for organizations to regularly review and harden their security configurations.
This incident highlights a pattern of vulnerabilities in network services that could allow for unauthorized access if not properly mitigated. Security teams should take proactive steps to assess their network configurations and apply the necessary patches.
For further reading on vulnerability management best practices, organizations can refer to the AppSecure blog on vulnerability management programs and consider implementing continuous security assessments through penetration testing methodologies to ensure ongoing security.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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