Vulnerability · Published Sep 23, 2022 · Assigned by apache

CVE-2022-33681Improper Hostname Verification in Java Client and Proxy can expose authentication data via MITM

Medium 5.9

In plain English

A medium-severity improper certificate validation in Apache Pulsar from Apache Software Foundation. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.7% (higher than 53% of all known vulnerabilities). Fixed versions are available - upgrade the affected package.

Severity (CVSS 3.1)5.9Medium
Exploit odds (30 days)0.7%top 46.8% of all CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo reportsCISA SSVC: none
Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known

Official description

Delayed TLS hostname verification in the Pulsar Java Client and the Pulsar Proxy make each client vulnerable to a man in the middle attack. Connections from the Pulsar Java Client to the Pulsar Broker/Proxy and connections from the Pulsar Proxy to the Pulsar Broker are vulnerable. Authentication data is sent before verifying the server’s TLS certificate matches the hostname, which means authentication data could be exposed to an attacker. An attacker can only take advantage of this vulnerability by taking control of a machine 'between' the client and the server. The attacker must then actively manipulate traffic to perform the attack by providing the client with a cryptographically valid certificate for an unrelated host. Because the client sends authentication data before performing hostname verification, an attacker could gain access to the client’s authentication data. The client eventually closes the connection when it verifies the hostname and identifies the targeted hostname does not match a hostname on the certificate. Because the client eventually closes the connection, the value of the intercepted authentication data depends on the authentication method used by the client. Token based authentication and username/password authentication methods are vulnerable because the authentication data can be used to impersonate the client in a separate session. This issue affects Apache Pulsar Java Client versions 2.7.0 to 2.7.4; 2.8.0 to 2.8.3; 2.9.0 to 2.9.2; 2.10.0; 2.6.4 and earlier.

Affected packages & fixed versions

EcosystemPackageFixed inAdvisory
Mavenorg.apache.pulsar:pulsar-client2.7.5GHSA-c5fp-x2h5-vjv7
Mavenorg.apache.pulsar:pulsar-client2.8.4GHSA-c5fp-x2h5-vjv7
Mavenorg.apache.pulsar:pulsar-client2.9.3GHSA-c5fp-x2h5-vjv7
Mavenorg.apache.pulsar:pulsar-client2.10.1GHSA-c5fp-x2h5-vjv7

Affected products (as reported)

VendorProductVersions
Apache Software Foundation Apache Pulsar 2.10.02.7 – through 2.7.42.8 – through 2.8.32.9 – through 2.9.22.6 and earlier – through 2.6.4

Weakness: CWE-295 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

References