Vulnerabilities > CVE-2017-12636 - OS Command Injection vulnerability in Apache Couchdb

047910
CVSS 7.2 - HIGH
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
LOW
Privileges required
HIGH
Confidentiality impact
HIGH
Integrity impact
HIGH
Availability impact
HIGH
network
low complexity
apache
CWE-78
nessus
exploit available
metasploit

Summary

CouchDB administrative users can configure the database server via HTTP(S). Some of the configuration options include paths for operating system-level binaries that are subsequently launched by CouchDB. This allows an admin user in Apache CouchDB before 1.7.0 and 2.x before 2.1.1 to execute arbitrary shell commands as the CouchDB user, including downloading and executing scripts from the public internet.

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Command Line Execution through SQL Injection
    An attacker uses standard SQL injection methods to inject data into the command line for execution. This could be done directly through misuse of directives such as MSSQL_xp_cmdshell or indirectly through injection of data into the database that would be interpreted as shell commands. Sometime later, an unscrupulous backend application (or could be part of the functionality of the same application) fetches the injected data stored in the database and uses this data as command line arguments without performing proper validation. The malicious data escapes that data plane by spawning new commands to be executed on the host.
  • Command Delimiters
    An attack of this type exploits a programs' vulnerabilities that allows an attacker's commands to be concatenated onto a legitimate command with the intent of targeting other resources such as the file system or database. The system that uses a filter or a blacklist input validation, as opposed to whitelist validation is vulnerable to an attacker who predicts delimiters (or combinations of delimiters) not present in the filter or blacklist. As with other injection attacks, the attacker uses the command delimiter payload as an entry point to tunnel through the application and activate additional attacks through SQL queries, shell commands, network scanning, and so on.
  • Exploiting Multiple Input Interpretation Layers
    An attacker supplies the target software with input data that contains sequences of special characters designed to bypass input validation logic. This exploit relies on the target making multiples passes over the input data and processing a "layer" of special characters with each pass. In this manner, the attacker can disguise input that would otherwise be rejected as invalid by concealing it with layers of special/escape characters that are stripped off by subsequent processing steps. The goal is to first discover cases where the input validation layer executes before one or more parsing layers. That is, user input may go through the following logic in an application: In such cases, the attacker will need to provide input that will pass through the input validator, but after passing through parser2, will be converted into something that the input validator was supposed to stop.
  • Argument Injection
    An attacker changes the behavior or state of a targeted application through injecting data or command syntax through the targets use of non-validated and non-filtered arguments of exposed services or methods.
  • OS Command Injection
    In this type of an attack, an adversary injects operating system commands into existing application functions. An application that uses untrusted input to build command strings is vulnerable. An adversary can leverage OS command injection in an application to elevate privileges, execute arbitrary commands and compromise the underlying operating system.

Exploit-Db

  • descriptionApache CouchDB < 2.1.0 - Remote Code Execution. CVE-2017-12636. Webapps exploit for Linux platform
    fileexploits/linux/webapps/44913.py
    idEDB-ID:44913
    last seen2018-06-20
    modified2018-06-20
    platformlinux
    port
    published2018-06-20
    reporterExploit-DB
    sourcehttps://www.exploit-db.com/download/44913/
    titleApache CouchDB < 2.1.0 - Remote Code Execution
    typewebapps
  • descriptionApache CouchDB - Arbitrary Command Execution (Metasploit). CVE-2017-12635,CVE-2017-12636. Remote exploit for Linux platform. Tags: Metasploit Framework (MSF)...
    fileexploits/linux/remote/45019.rb
    idEDB-ID:45019
    last seen2018-07-13
    modified2018-07-13
    platformlinux
    port5984
    published2018-07-13
    reporterExploit-DB
    sourcehttps://www.exploit-db.com/download/45019/
    titleApache CouchDB - Arbitrary Command Execution (Metasploit)
    typeremote

Metasploit

descriptionCouchDB administrative users can configure the database server via HTTP(S). Some of the configuration options include paths for operating system-level binaries that are subsequently launched by CouchDB. This allows an admin user in Apache CouchDB before 1.7.0 and 2.x before 2.1.1 to execute arbitrary shell commands as the CouchDB user, including downloading and executing scripts from the public internet.
idMSF:EXPLOIT/LINUX/HTTP/APACHE_COUCHDB_CMD_EXEC
last seen2020-06-10
modified2018-08-10
published2018-03-27
references
reporterRapid7
sourcehttps://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master//modules/exploits/linux/http/apache_couchdb_cmd_exec.rb
titleApache CouchDB Arbitrary Command Execution

Nessus

  • NASL familyFreeBSD Local Security Checks
    NASL idFREEBSD_PKG_1E54D140849311E8A7950028F8D09152.NASL
    descriptionApache CouchDB PMC reports : Database Administrator could achieve privilege escalation to the account that CouchDB runs under, by abusing insufficient validation in the HTTP API, escaping security controls implemented in previous releases.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id111018
    published2018-07-12
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2018-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/111018
    titleFreeBSD : couchdb -- multiple vulnerabilities (1e54d140-8493-11e8-a795-0028f8d09152)
    code
    #
    # (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    #
    # The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
    # extracted from the FreeBSD VuXML database :
    #
    # Copyright 2003-2018 Jacques Vidrine and contributors
    #
    # Redistribution and use in source (VuXML) and 'compiled' forms (SGML,
    # HTML, PDF, PostScript, RTF and so forth) with or without modification,
    # are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
    # 1. Redistributions of source code (VuXML) must retain the above
    #    copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following
    #    disclaimer as the first lines of this file unmodified.
    # 2. Redistributions in compiled form (transformed to other DTDs,
    #    published online in any format, converted to PDF, PostScript,
    #    RTF and other formats) must reproduce the above copyright
    #    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
    #    in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
    #    distribution.
    # 
    # THIS DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
    # AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
    # THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
    # PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR OR CONTRIBUTORS
    # BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY,
    # OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT
    # OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR
    # BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY,
    # WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE
    # OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS DOCUMENTATION,
    # EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
    #
    
    include("compat.inc");
    
    if (description)
    {
      script_id(111018);
      script_version("1.5");
      script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/04/05 23:25:06");
    
      script_cve_id("CVE-2017-12635", "CVE-2017-12636", "CVE-2018-8007");
    
      script_name(english:"FreeBSD : couchdb -- multiple vulnerabilities (1e54d140-8493-11e8-a795-0028f8d09152)");
      script_summary(english:"Checks for updated package in pkg_info output");
    
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"synopsis", 
        value:"The remote FreeBSD host is missing a security-related update."
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"description", 
        value:
    "Apache CouchDB PMC reports :
    
    Database Administrator could achieve privilege escalation to the
    account that CouchDB runs under, by abusing insufficient validation in
    the HTTP API, escaping security controls implemented in previous
    releases."
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"see_also",
        value:"https://blog.couchdb.org/2018/07/10/cve-2018-8007/"
      );
      # https://blog.couchdb.org/2017/11/14/apache-couchdb-cve-2017-12635-and-cve-2017-12636/
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"see_also",
        value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?236d3194"
      );
      # https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/6fa798e96686b7b0013ec2088140d00aeb7d34487d3f5ad032af6934@%3Cdev.couchdb.apache.org%3E
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"see_also",
        value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?aab45713"
      );
      # https://vuxml.freebsd.org/freebsd/1e54d140-8493-11e8-a795-0028f8d09152.html
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"see_also",
        value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?df4f4901"
      );
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:"Update the affected package.");
      script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C");
      script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:F/RL:OF/RC:C");
      script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
      script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:F/RL:O/RC:C");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"metasploit_name", value:'Apache CouchDB Arbitrary Command Execution');
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_metasploit", value:"true");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_canvas", value:"true");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"canvas_package", value:'CANVAS');
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:freebsd:freebsd:couchdb");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:freebsd:freebsd");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2017/11/14");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2018/07/10");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2018/07/12");
      script_end_attributes();
    
      script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
      script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2018-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
      script_family(english:"FreeBSD Local Security Checks");
    
      script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
      script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/FreeBSD/release", "Host/FreeBSD/pkg_info");
    
      exit(0);
    }
    
    
    include("audit.inc");
    include("freebsd_package.inc");
    
    
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/FreeBSD/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "FreeBSD");
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/FreeBSD/pkg_info")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);
    
    
    flag = 0;
    
    if (pkg_test(save_report:TRUE, pkg:"couchdb<1.7.2,2")) flag++;
    
    if (flag)
    {
      if (report_verbosity > 0) security_hole(port:0, extra:pkg_report_get());
      else security_hole(0);
      exit(0);
    }
    else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");
    
  • NASL familyFedora Local Security Checks
    NASL idFEDORA_2017-A20D92573B.NASL
    description - CouchDB ver. 1.7.1 - Fixed CVE-2017-12635 - Fixed CVE-2017-12636 - Switched to eunit for testing - Erlang 20 compatible Note that Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Fedora update system website. Tenable has attempted to automatically clean and format it as much as possible without introducing additional issues.
    last seen2020-06-05
    modified2018-01-15
    plugin id105943
    published2018-01-15
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2018-2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/105943
    titleFedora 27 : couchdb / erlang-jiffy (2017-a20d92573b)
  • NASL familyGentoo Local Security Checks
    NASL idGENTOO_GLSA-201711-16.NASL
    descriptionThe remote host is affected by the vulnerability described in GLSA-201711-16 (CouchDB: Multiple vulnerabilities) Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in CouchDB. Please review the CVE identifiers referenced below for details. Impact : A remote attacker could execute arbitrary shell commands or escalate privileges. Workaround : There is no known workaround at this time.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id104697
    published2017-11-20
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2017-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/104697
    titleGLSA-201711-16 : CouchDB: Multiple vulnerabilities
  • NASL familyDebian Local Security Checks
    NASL idDEBIAN_DLA-1252.NASL
    descriptionCVE-2017-12635 Prevent non-admin users to give themselves admin privileges. CVE-2017-12636 Blacklist some configuration options to prevent execution of arbitrary shell commands as the CouchDB user For Debian 7
    last seen2020-03-17
    modified2018-01-22
    plugin id106208
    published2018-01-22
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2018-2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/106208
    titleDebian DLA-1252-1 : couchdb security update

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