CVE-2018-3826 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been discovered in Elasticsearch versions 6.0.0-beta1 to 6.2.4, specifically in the _snapshot API, leading to the exposure of access_key and security_key parameters.

Understanding CVE-2018-3826

This CVE identifies a disclosure flaw in Elasticsearch versions 6.0.0-beta1 to 6.2.4, affecting the _snapshot API.

What is CVE-2018-3826?

In Elasticsearch versions 6.0.0-beta1 to 6.2.4, a vulnerability in the _snapshot API allows the exposure of access_key and security_key parameters as plain text.

The Impact of CVE-2018-3826

This vulnerability can result in the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized users who can query the _snapshot API.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-3826

The technical aspects of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the _snapshot API of Elasticsearch versions 6.0.0-beta1 to 6.2.4 exposes access_key and security_key parameters in plain text.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Elasticsearch
Vendor: Elastic
Versions Affected: 6.0.0-beta1 to 6.2.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by users with the ability to query the _snapshot API, leading to the exposure of sensitive parameters.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-3826, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Elasticsearch to a non-vulnerable version.
Restrict access to the _snapshot API to authorized users only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit API usage for any suspicious activities.
Implement encryption mechanisms for sensitive parameters to prevent exposure.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Elastic to fix the vulnerability and enhance system security.