CVE-2023-37924 Overview
CVE-2023-37924 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability discovered in Apache Submarine, an open-source machine learning platform. The vulnerability exists in the user login functionality, allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the workbench without valid credentials. This flaw affects Apache Submarine versions from 0.7.0 before 0.8.0.
Critical Impact
Attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to bypass authentication entirely, gaining unauthorized access to Apache Submarine workbench environments without valid login credentials.
Affected Products
- Apache Submarine versions 0.7.0 to 0.7.x (prior to 0.8.0)
- Apache Submarine deployments using the default authentication mode
- Submarine-server container images built from vulnerable source code
Discovery Timeline
- 2023-11-22 - CVE-2023-37924 published to NVD
- 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2023-37924
Vulnerability Analysis
This SQL injection vulnerability (CWE-89) occurs in the authentication component of Apache Submarine when processing user login requests. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input during the authentication process, allowing malicious SQL statements to be injected and executed against the underlying database.
The vulnerability is particularly severe because it targets the authentication mechanism itself. An attacker can craft malicious input in the login fields that manipulates the SQL query logic, potentially causing the authentication check to always return true or extracting sensitive data from the database. This allows complete bypass of the login process without requiring any legitimate credentials.
The attack can be executed remotely over the network without any prior authentication or user interaction, making it highly exploitable in internet-facing deployments.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2023-37924 is improper input validation and sanitization in the login functionality of Apache Submarine. User-supplied data from login form fields is concatenated directly into SQL queries without proper parameterization or escaping. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that alter the intended query logic.
The vulnerability stems from a classic SQL injection anti-pattern where dynamic SQL is constructed using string concatenation with untrusted user input, rather than using prepared statements or parameterized queries.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based, requiring no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by:
- Accessing the Apache Submarine login page
- Injecting SQL payload into username or password fields
- Manipulating the authentication query to bypass credential verification
- Gaining unauthorized access to the Submarine workbench
The SQL injection payload would typically include logic operators and SQL syntax designed to make the authentication query return a valid result regardless of the actual credentials provided. Common techniques include using ' OR '1'='1 style injections or UNION-based attacks to manipulate query results.
Detection Methods for CVE-2023-37924
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual login patterns or successful authentications from unknown IP addresses
- Database query logs showing malformed or suspicious SQL syntax in authentication queries
- Application logs containing SQL error messages or unexpected query structures
- Multiple login attempts with payloads containing SQL special characters (', ", ;, --, OR, UNION)
- Successful logins followed by unusual workbench activity or data access patterns
Detection Strategies
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect common SQL injection patterns in login requests
- Enable detailed logging on the Submarine server to capture all authentication attempts and associated payloads
- Deploy database activity monitoring to detect anomalous query patterns against user/authentication tables
- Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) with SQL injection signature rules
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor authentication logs for unusual patterns such as logins outside normal hours or from unexpected geolocations
- Set up alerts for database errors related to SQL syntax that may indicate injection attempts
- Track and alert on repeated failed login attempts followed by a successful login
- Review access logs for the Apache Submarine workbench for unauthorized or anomalous user sessions
How to Mitigate CVE-2023-37924
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Apache Submarine to version 0.8.0 or later immediately
- If upgrade is not immediately possible, apply the patches from PR #1037 and PR #1054
- Restrict network access to Apache Submarine instances using firewall rules or network segmentation
- Review authentication logs for signs of exploitation and investigate any unauthorized access
- Consider temporarily disabling external access to the Submarine workbench until patching is complete
Patch Information
Apache has addressed this vulnerability in Apache Submarine version 0.8.0. The fix implements proper input validation and parameterized queries for the login functionality. Additionally, version 0.8.0 introduces OIDC (OpenID Connect) authentication mode support and removes the case of unauthenticated logins.
For organizations unable to upgrade immediately, Apache provides two pull requests that can be cherry-picked to fix the vulnerability:
After applying these patches, the submarine-server image must be rebuilt.
Additional resources:
Workarounds
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) in front of Apache Submarine to filter SQL injection attempts
- Implement network-level access controls to limit who can reach the Submarine login page
- Enable OIDC authentication if upgrading to version 0.8.0 to use a more secure authentication mechanism
- Place Apache Submarine behind a VPN or zero-trust network access solution to restrict exposure
# Example: Restrict network access to Apache Submarine using iptables
# Allow only trusted IP ranges to access the Submarine server port
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -s 10.0.0.0/8 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
