Researcher Exploited CI / CD Pipelines To Take Full Control of Servers

A new security vulnerability has been uncovered in CI/CD pipelines, highlighting how improper configurations can lead to a catastrophic server takeover. This vulnerability was first exposed by Mukesh, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Razz Security, who demonstrated how attackers can exploit CI/CD pipelines to gain full access to servers. This discovery sheds light on the critical importance of securing automated deployment processes.

What is a CI/CD Pipeline?

CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery) pipelines consist of a series of automated steps that help software teams deliver code more efficiently, securely, and reliably. The pipeline coordinates every phase of the software development lifecycle, from integrating code to deploying it on production servers. However, if not properly secured, CI/CD pipelines can become the entry point for hackers seeking unauthorized access to servers.

The Exploit: Exposing a CI/CD Vulnerability

A critical flaw was identified in the configuration of a CI/CD pipeline that allowed a researcher to gain full control over a target server. The issue stemmed from an exposed .git directory on a publicly accessible web server. This oversight exposed sensitive files, including .git/config, which contained user credentials and other sensitive information.

Attackers can use these credentials to clone the entire Git repository and gain access to not only source code but also deployment scripts, configuration files, and other critical data. With these resources in hand, they can manipulate CI/CD pipeline configurations to execute arbitrary commands on the production server.

The Attack Chain: How It Unfolded

According to the report from Razz Security, the researcher exploited Bitbucket Pipelines, a popular CI/CD tool, to gain unauthorized access to a production server.

The attack was initiated by discovering the pipeline configuration file, which is responsible for automating code deployment. By manipulating this file, the attacker was able to inject their own SSH (Secure Shell) public key into the server’s authorized_keys file.

This injection was achieved by using the atlassian/ssh-run:0.2.8 pipe to execute a command on the target server (damn.vulnerable.site) under the ubuntu user. The attacker used the following command to add their public key:

Once this modification was pushed to the master branch, the next pipeline run triggered the execution of the attacker’s changes. This allowed the attacker to gain SSH access to the server using their own key, granting them full control.

From SSH Access to Full Control

With SSH access to the server, the attacker could run arbitrary commands, which granted them complete control over the compromised system. Beyond simply controlling the server, the attacker could also leverage privilege escalation vulnerabilities to obtain root access, further deepening their control over the system.

This incident is a glaring reminder of the dangers of exposing sensitive directories like .git and failing to secure CI/CD pipelines, which are often overlooked in standard security practices.

Mitigation Strategies

In light of this exploit, several mitigation strategies have been recommended by Razz Security to safeguard CI/CD pipelines and server environments:

1. Regularly Monitor and Review SSH Key Access: Ensure that SSH keys are audited frequently to detect any unauthorized or outdated keys.
2. Remove Unnecessary SSH Keys: Eliminate any unused or outdated SSH keys to minimize the attack surface.
3. Block Public Access to Sensitive Directories: Prevent public access to directories such as .git that may contain sensitive information.
4. Implement Strong Access Controls: Ensure that access to CI/CD pipelines is limited to trusted users and that permissions are regularly reviewed.
5. Use Environment-Specific Keys: Assign unique SSH keys to different environments (e.g., development, testing, production) to reduce the risk of a widespread compromise.

By adopting these best practices, organizations can significantly reduce the likelihood of similar exploits occurring in their environments.

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FAQs: Understanding the CI/CD Exploit and Its Impact

1. What is a CI/CD pipeline?
A CI/CD pipeline automates the process of software development, including code integration, testing, and deployment. It allows teams to deliver updates more quickly and securely by reducing manual intervention.

2. How did the attacker gain access to the server?
The attacker exploited an exposed .git directory, which allowed them to retrieve configuration files containing sensitive credentials. By modifying the CI/CD pipeline, the attacker injected their SSH key into the server, gaining full access.

3. What role did the .git directory play in the exploit?
The .git directory contained version control information, including sensitive configuration files. Exposing this directory publicly allowed the attacker to obtain critical information needed to compromise the server.

4. Why is SSH key management important?
Proper SSH key management is essential to secure server access. Outdated or unauthorized SSH keys can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems.

5. How can organizations prevent similar attacks?
Organizations should enforce strict access controls, block public access to sensitive directories, and regularly audit CI/CD pipelines and SSH key configurations to prevent unauthorized access.

6. What is Bitbucket Pipelines, and how was it exploited?
Bitbucket Pipelines is a CI/CD tool that automates code deployment. In this exploit, the attacker modified a pipeline script to insert their SSH key, gaining unauthorized access to the server.

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How Technijian Can Help Secure Your CI/CD Pipelines

Technijian specializes in securing CI/CD environments and automating secure deployment processes. With years of experience in cybersecurity, Technijian offers the following services to protect your organization from similar threats:

1. Comprehensive Security Audits: Our experts will evaluate your CI/CD pipelines, SSH configurations, and server access points to identify potential vulnerabilities.
2. Pipeline Hardening Services: We provide advanced configuration solutions to ensure that your CI/CD pipelines are secure from common misconfigurations and exploitation.
3. SSH Key Management Solutions: Technijian offers automated solutions for managing and auditing SSH keys, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access your servers.
4. Version Control Security: We implement best practices to secure version control systems like Git, preventing the exposure of sensitive directories and configuration files.
5. 24/7 Monitoring and Incident Response: Our security team provides round-the-clock monitoring of your systems, ensuring that any suspicious activity is detected and mitigated before it leads to a breach.

By partnering with Technijian, you can ensure that your CI/CD pipelines and deployment processes are protected against unauthorized access and exploitation.

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