CVE-2022-36085: OPA Compiler Bypass Of WithUnsafeBuiltins Using "with" Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-f524-rf33-2jjr
CVSS 7.4
CWE-20
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2022-36085 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.4) bypass of withunsafebuiltins using "with" vulnerability (CWE-20: Improper Input Validation) affecting OPA Compiler libraries in the Go ecosystem. The issue involves bypass of withunsafebuiltins using "with" keyword to mock functions. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 0.43.1.

CVE-2022-36085 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2022-36085
GHSA Identifier GHSA-f524-rf33-2jjr
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.4
CWE Classification CWE-20: Improper Input Validation
Affected Product OPA Compiler
Package Ecosystem Go
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.4

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N).

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

How to Fix CVE-2022-36085

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

github.com/open-policy-agent/opa fixed: 0.43.1
Upgrade github.com/open-policy-agent/opa to 0.43.1
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

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

inspect dependencies for github.com/open-policy-agent/opa

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2022-36085, inspect your project dependencies for OPA Compiler:

inspect dependencies for github.com/open-policy-agent/opa

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of OPA Compiler in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 0.43.1), your application is affected.

Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, where the product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. In OPA Compiler, 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

### Impact The Rego compiler provides a (deprecated) `WithUnsafeBuiltins` function, which allows users to provide a set of built-in functions that should be deemed unsafe — and as such rejected — by the compiler if encountered in the policy compilation stage. A bypass of this protection has been found, where the use of the `with` keyword to mock such a built-in function (a feature introduced in OPA v0.40.0), isn’t taken into account by `WithUnsafeBuiltins`. The same method is exposed via `rego.UnsafeBuiltins` in the `github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/rego` package. When provided e.g. the `http.send` built-in function to `WithUnsafeBuiltins`, the following policy would still compile, and call the `http.send` function with the arguments provided to the `is_object` function when evaluated: ```rego package policy foo := is_object({ "method": "get", "url": "https://www.openpolicyagent.org" }) allow := r { r := foo with is_object as http.send } ``` Both built-in functions and user provided (i.e. custom) functions are mockable using this construct. In addition to `http.send`, the `opa.runtime` built-in function is commonly considered unsafe in integrations where policy provided by untrusted parties is evaluated, as it risks exposing configuration, or environment variables, potentially carrying sensitive information. #### Affected Users **All of these conditions have to be met** to create an adverse effect: * Use the Go API for policy evaluation (not the OPA server, or the Go SDK) * Make use of the `WithUnsafeBuiltins` method in order to deny certain built-in functions, like e.g. `http.send`, from being used in policy evaluation. * Allow policy evaluation of policies provided by untrusted parties. * The policies evaluated include the `with` keyword to rewrite/mock a built-in, or custom, function to that of another built-in function, such as `http.send`. **Additionally, the OPA Query API** is affected: * If the OPA [Query API](https://www.openpolicyagent.org/docs/latest/rest-api/#query-api) is exposed to the public, and it is relied on `http.send` to be unavailable in that context. Exposing the OPA API to the public without proper [authentication and authorization](https://www.openpolicyagent.org/docs/latest/security/#authentication-and-authorization) in place is generally advised against. ### Patches v0.43.1, v0.44.0 ### Workarounds The `WithUnsafeBuiltins` function has been considered deprecated since the introduction of the [capabilities](https://www.openpolicyagent.org/docs/latest/deployments/#capabilities) feature in OPA v0.23.0 . While the function was commented as deprecated, the format of the comment was however not following the [convention](https://zchee.github.io/golang-wiki/Deprecated/) for deprecated functions, and might not have been picked up by tooling like editors. This has now been fixed. Users are still encouraged to use the capabilities feature over the deprecated `WithUnsafeBuiltins` function. **If you cannot upgrade**, consider using capabilities instead: Code like this using the `github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/ast` package: ```go // VULNERABLE with OPA <= 0.43.0 unsafeBuiltins := map[string]struct{}{ ast.HTTPSend.Name: struct{}{}, } compiler := ast.NewCompiler().WithUnsafeBuiltins(unsafeBuiltins) ``` needs to be changed to this: ```go caps := ast.CapabilitiesForThisVersion() var j int for i, bi := range caps.Builtins { if bi.Name == ast.HTTPSend.Name { j = i break } } caps.Builtins[j] = caps.Builtins[len(caps.Builtins)-1] // put last element into position j caps.Builtins = caps.Builtins[:len(caps.Builtins)-1] // truncate slice compiler := ast.NewCompiler().WithCapabilities(caps) ``` When using the `github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/rego` package: ```go // VULNERABLE with OPA <= 0.43.0 r := rego.New( // other options omitted rego.UnsafeBuiltins(map[string]struct{}{ast.HTTPSend.Name: struct{}{}}), ) ``` needs to be changed to ```go r := rego.New( // other options omitted rego.Capabilities(caps), ) ``` with `caps` defined above. Note that in the process, some error messages will change: `http.send` in this example will no longer be "unsafe" and thus forbidden, but it will simply become an "unknown function". ### References * Fix commit on `main`: https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/commit/25a597bc3f4985162e7f65f9c36599f4f8f55823 * Fix commit in 0.43.1 release: https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/commit/3e8c754ed007b22393cf65e48751ad9f6457fee8, release page for 0.43.1: https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/releases/tag/v0.43.1 * Function mocking feature introduced in https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/pull/4540 and https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/pull/4616 * Documentation on the [capabilities](https://www.openpolicyagent.org/docs/latest/deployments/#capabilities) feature, which is the preferred way of providing a list of allowed built-in functions. The capabilities feature is **not** affected by this vulnerability. ### For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: * Open an issue in [Community Discussions](https://github.com/open-policy-agent/community/discussions/categories/opa-and-rego) * Ask in Slack: https://slack.openpolicyagent.org/

CVE-2022-36085 Affected OPA Compiler Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
0.43.1
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
github.com/open-policy-agent/opa
Go
≥ 0.40.0
< 0.43.1
0.43.1

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-36085?
CVE-2022-36085 is a security vulnerability in OPA Compiler involving Bypass of WithUnsafeBuiltins using "with" keyword to mock functions under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation.
Which OPA Compiler versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 0.43.1 across affected packages: github.com/open-policy-agent/opa.
What version fixes CVE-2022-36085?
Upgrading to 0.43.1 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is github.com/open-policy-agent/opa affected?
Yes, github.com/open-policy-agent/opa is affected in releases prior to 0.43.1. Upgrade your dependency to 0.43.1 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2022-36085?
CVE-2022-36085 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.4 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2022-36085?
CVE-2022-36085 is classified under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation (The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.).
How can I check Go dependencies for CVE-2022-36085?
Run the dependency tree command: 'inspect dependencies for github.com/open-policy-agent/opa'. 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
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-f524-rf33-2jjr",
  "modified" : "2024-01-23T20:38:00Z",
  "published" : "2022-09-16T17:42:47Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2022-36085" ],
  "summary" : "OPA Compiler: Bypass of WithUnsafeBuiltins using \"with\" keyword to mock functions",
  "details" : "### Impact\n\nThe Rego compiler provides a (deprecated) `WithUnsafeBuiltins` function, which allows users to provide a set of built-in functions that should be deemed unsafe — and as such rejected — by the compiler if encountered in the policy compilation stage. A bypass of this protection has been found, where the use of the `with` keyword to mock such a built-in function (a feature introduced in OPA v0.40.0), isn’t taken into account by `WithUnsafeBuiltins`.\n\nThe same method is exposed via `rego.UnsafeBuiltins` in the `github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/rego` package.\n\nWhen provided e.g. the `http.send` built-in function to `WithUnsafeBuiltins`, the following policy would still compile, and call the `http.send` function with the arguments provided to the `is_object` function when evaluated:\n\n```rego\npackage policy\n\nfoo := is_object({\n    \"method\": \"get\", \n    \"url\": \"https://www.openpolicyagent.org\"\n})\n\nallow := r {\n    r := foo with is_object as http.send\n}\n```\n\nBoth built-in functions and user provided (i.e. custom) functions are mockable using this construct.\n\nIn addition to `http.send`, the `opa.runtime` built-in function is commonly considered unsafe in integrations where policy provided by untrusted parties is evaluated, as it risks exposing configuration, or environment variables, potentially carrying sensitive information.\n\n#### Affected Users\n\n**All of these conditions have to be met** to create an adverse effect:\n\n* Use the Go API for policy evaluation (not the OPA server, or the Go SDK)\n* Make use of the `WithUnsafeBuiltins` method in order to deny certain built-in functions, like e.g. `http.send`, from being used in policy evaluation.\n* Allow policy evaluation of policies provided by untrusted parties.\n* The policies evaluated include the `with` keyword to rewrite/mock a built-in, or custom, function to that of another built-in function, such as `http.send`.\n\n**Additionally, the OPA Query API** is affected:\n* If the OPA [Query API](https://www.openpolicyagent.org/docs/latest/rest-api/#query-api) is exposed to the public, and it is relied on `http.send` to be unavailable in that context. Exposing the OPA API to the public without proper [authentication and authorization](https://www.openpolicyagent.org/docs/latest/security/#authentication-and-authorization) in place is generally advised against.\n\n### Patches\nv0.43.1, v0.44.0\n\n### Workarounds\n\nThe `WithUnsafeBuiltins`  function has been considered deprecated since the introduction of the [capabilities](https://www.openpolicyagent.org/docs/latest/deployments/#capabilities) feature in OPA v0.23.0 . While the function was commented as deprecated, the format of the comment was however not following the [convention](https://zchee.github.io/golang-wiki/Deprecated/) for deprecated functions, and might not have been picked up by tooling like editors. This has now been fixed. Users are still encouraged to use the capabilities feature over the deprecated `WithUnsafeBuiltins` function.\n\n**If you cannot upgrade**, consider using capabilities instead:\n\nCode like this using the `github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/ast` package:\n```go\n// VULNERABLE with OPA <= 0.43.0\nunsafeBuiltins := map[string]struct{}{\n\tast.HTTPSend.Name: struct{}{},\n}\ncompiler := ast.NewCompiler().WithUnsafeBuiltins(unsafeBuiltins)\n```\n\nneeds to be changed to this:\n```go\ncaps := ast.CapabilitiesForThisVersion()\nvar j int\nfor i, bi := range caps.Builtins {\n\tif bi.Name == ast.HTTPSend.Name {\n\t\tj = i\n\t\tbreak\n\t}\n}\ncaps.Builtins[j] = caps.Builtins[len(caps.Builtins)-1] // put last element into position j\ncaps.Builtins = caps.Builtins[:len(caps.Builtins)-1]   // truncate slice\n\ncompiler := ast.NewCompiler().WithCapabilities(caps)\n```\n\nWhen using the `github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/rego` package:\n\n```go\n// VULNERABLE with OPA <= 0.43.0\nr := rego.New(\n\t// other options omitted\n\trego.UnsafeBuiltins(map[string]struct{}{ast.HTTPSend.Name: struct{}{}}),\n)\n```\n\nneeds to be changed to\n```go\nr := rego.New(\n\t// other options omitted\n\trego.Capabilities(caps),\n)\n```\nwith `caps` defined above.\n\nNote that in the process, some error messages will change: `http.send` in this example will no longer be \"unsafe\" and thus forbidden, but it will simply become an \"unknown function\".\n\n### References\n\n* Fix commit on `main`: https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/commit/25a597bc3f4985162e7f65f9c36599f4f8f55823\n* Fix commit in 0.43.1 release: https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/commit/3e8c754ed007b22393cf65e48751ad9f6457fee8, release page for 0.43.1: https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/releases/tag/v0.43.1\n* Function mocking feature introduced in https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/pull/4540 and https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/pull/4616 \n* Documentation on the [capabilities](https://www.openpolicyagent.org/docs/latest/deployments/#capabilities) feature, which is the preferred way of providing a list of allowed built-in functions. The capabilities feature is **not** affected by this vulnerability.\n\n### For more information\n\nIf you have any questions or comments about this advisory:\n\n* Open an issue in [Community Discussions](https://github.com/open-policy-agent/community/discussions/categories/opa-and-rego)\n* Ask in Slack: https://slack.openpolicyagent.org/\n",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Go",
      "name" : "github.com/open-policy-agent/opa"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0.40.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "0.43.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/security/advisories/GHSA-f524-rf33-2jjr"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-36085"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/pull/4540"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/pull/4616"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/commit/25a597bc3f4985162e7f65f9c36599f4f8f55823"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/commit/3e8c754ed007b22393cf65e48751ad9f6457fee8"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/open-policy-agent/opa/releases/tag/v0.43.1"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://pkg.go.dev/vuln/GO-2022-0978"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-20" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-09-16T17:42:47Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2022-09-08T14:15:00Z"
  }
}