CVE-2018-11792 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

CVE-2018-11792, published on October 24, 2018, addresses a security vulnerability in Apache Impala version 3.0.0.

Understanding CVE-2018-11792

What is CVE-2018-11792?

Before version 3.0.1 of Apache Impala, a user with ALTER permission on a table could potentially exploit a security vulnerability by moving the table to another database with higher privileges, automatically inheriting those privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11792

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access and privilege escalation within Apache Impala environments.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11792

Vulnerability Description

The issue in Apache Impala before 3.0.1 allowed users to gain unintended privileges by moving tables to databases with higher permissions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Apache Impala
Vendor: Apache Software Foundation
Affected Version: Apache Impala 3.0.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability stemmed from the requirement of ALTER permission on the original table when renaming a table or view, potentially leading to privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to Apache Impala version 3.0.1 or later to mitigate this vulnerability.
Review and adjust user permissions to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update user permissions based on the principle of least privilege.
Conduct security audits to identify and address similar privilege escalation risks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of security patches and updates to Apache Impala to address known vulnerabilities.