CVE-2017-4973: Cloudfoundry identity server Cloud Foundry UAA Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-pgjc-gc7g-p2c6
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CVSS 8.8
CWE-269
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2017-4973 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.8) cloud foundry uaa privilege escalation vulnerability (CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management) affecting Cloudfoundry identity server libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves cloud foundry uaa privilege escalation. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.7.4.14, 3.6.8, 3.9.10, 3.15.0.

CVE-2017-4973 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2017-4973
GHSA Identifier GHSA-pgjc-gc7g-p2c6
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.8
CWE Classification CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management
Affected Product Cloudfoundry identity server
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.8

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required Low (PR:L)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2017-4973

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Cloudfoundry identity server dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server fixed: 2.7.4.14 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.cloudfoundry.identity</groupId>
    <artifactId>cloudfoundry-identity-server</artifactId>
    <version>2.7.4.14</version>
</dependency>
org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server fixed: 3.6.8 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.cloudfoundry.identity</groupId>
    <artifactId>cloudfoundry-identity-server</artifactId>
    <version>3.6.8</version>
</dependency>
org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server fixed: 3.9.10 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.cloudfoundry.identity</groupId>
    <artifactId>cloudfoundry-identity-server</artifactId>
    <version>3.9.10</version>
</dependency>
org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server fixed: 3.15.0 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.cloudfoundry.identity</groupId>
    <artifactId>cloudfoundry-identity-server</artifactId>
    <version>3.15.0</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.cloudfoundry.identity

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2017-4973, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.cloudfoundry.identity

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Cloudfoundry identity server in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.7.4.14), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.cloudfoundry.identity command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management, where the product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. In Cloudfoundry identity server, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

An issue was discovered in Cloud Foundry Foundation cf-release versions prior to v257; UAA release 2.x versions prior to v2.7.4.14, 3.6.x versions prior to v3.6.8, 3.9.x versions prior to v3.9.10, and other versions prior to v3.15.0; and UAA bosh release (uaa-release) 13.x versions prior to v13.12, 24.x versions prior to v24.7, and other versions prior to v30. A vulnerability has been identified with the groups endpoint in UAA allowing users to elevate their privileges.

CVE-2017-4973 Affected Cloudfoundry identity server Versions

4 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.7.4.143.6.83.9.103.15.0
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server
maven/org.cloudfoundry.identity/cloudfoundry-identity-server
Maven
≥ 2.0.0
< 2.7.4.14
2.7.4.14
org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server
maven/org.cloudfoundry.identity/cloudfoundry-identity-server
Maven
≥ 3.0.0
< 3.6.8
3.6.8
org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server
maven/org.cloudfoundry.identity/cloudfoundry-identity-server
Maven
≥ 3.7.0
< 3.9.10
3.9.10
org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server
maven/org.cloudfoundry.identity/cloudfoundry-identity-server
Maven
≥ 3.10.0
< 3.15.0
3.15.0

References

NVD — CVE-2017-4973 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-4973
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/0762cc768592abc4fb1c6afd9974ea6fb964f0f2
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/18cf22ba9177f1124f85f99651b474b48f12cd28
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/24bc5ade80560cedb9300940d2b398163ab0dc6
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/24c270ce725df890727b2bd7d8a4f338a3a58b7
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/3c456f0285e92713a0a9ce54c3e57d8636b9183c
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/52acfabd11c3c77c2a3f5229b32f56de0e8d26ad
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/5eb43757d5a3a2c9e7aae1ef3d0b9b7e2a38851e
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/9d44cb0c7c25ccae95bfa1c2d59ce46200c643cb
Cloudfoundry identity server Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa
www.cloudfoundry.org/cve-2017-4973 WEB
https://www.cloudfoundry.org/cve-2017-4973

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-4973?
CVE-2017-4973 is a security vulnerability in Cloudfoundry identity server involving Cloud Foundry UAA Privilege Escalation under CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management.
Which Cloudfoundry identity server versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.7.4.14, 3.6.8, 3.9.10, 3.15.0 across affected packages: org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server.
What version fixes CVE-2017-4973?
Upgrading to 2.7.4.14, 3.6.8, 3.9.10, 3.15.0 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is cloudfoundry-identity-server affected?
Yes, org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server is affected in releases prior to 2.7.4.14, 3.6.8, 3.9.10, 3.15.0. Upgrade your dependency to 2.7.4.14, 3.6.8, 3.9.10, 3.15.0 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2017-4973?
CVE-2017-4973 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2017-4973?
CVE-2017-4973 is classified under CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management (The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2017-4973?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.cloudfoundry.identity'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-pgjc-gc7g-p2c6",
  "modified" : "2024-03-01T20:11:46Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-13T01:07:25Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2017-4973" ],
  "summary" : "Cloud Foundry UAA Privilege Escalation",
  "details" : "An issue was discovered in Cloud Foundry Foundation cf-release versions prior to v257; UAA release 2.x versions prior to v2.7.4.14, 3.6.x versions prior to v3.6.8, 3.9.x versions prior to v3.9.10, and other versions prior to v3.15.0; and UAA bosh release (uaa-release) 13.x versions prior to v13.12, 24.x versions prior to v24.7, and other versions prior to v30. A vulnerability has been identified with the groups endpoint in UAA allowing users to elevate their privileges.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.7.4.14"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.6.8"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.7.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.9.10"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.cloudfoundry.identity:cloudfoundry-identity-server"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.10.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.15.0"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-4973"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/0762cc768592abc4fb1c6afd9974ea6fb964f0f2"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/18cf22ba9177f1124f85f99651b474b48f12cd28"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/24bc5ade80560cedb9300940d2b398163ab0dc6"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/24c270ce725df890727b2bd7d8a4f338a3a58b7"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/3c456f0285e92713a0a9ce54c3e57d8636b9183c"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/52acfabd11c3c77c2a3f5229b32f56de0e8d26ad"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/5eb43757d5a3a2c9e7aae1ef3d0b9b7e2a38851e"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa/commit/9d44cb0c7c25ccae95bfa1c2d59ce46200c643cb"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/cloudfoundry/uaa"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.cloudfoundry.org/cve-2017-4973"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-269" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2024-03-01T20:11:46Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2017-06-13T06:29:00Z"
  }
}