Critical Vulnerability in Samba Package: CVE-2017-12151 - Man-in-the-Middle Attack Risk
Summary
ALPINE-CVE-2017-12151: A flaw was found in the way samba client before samba 4.4.16, samba 4.5.14 and samba 4.6.8 used encryption with the max protocol set as SMB3. Affects samba versions < 4.7.0-r0. Fixed in 4.7.0-r0. How to fix ↓
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Background
Samba is an open-source software suite that enables file and print services to SMB/CIFS clients. It allows for seamless interoperability between Linux/Unix servers and Windows-based clients. Samba is widely used for sharing files and printers across different operating systems. However, certain versions of Samba have a vulnerability that compromises the security of encrypted connections, making it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks.
Vulnerability Detail
A flaw was found in the way Samba client versions prior to 4.4.16, 4.5.14, and 4.6.8 handled encryption when the maximum protocol was set to SMB3. This flaw could lead to the loss of the requirement for signing and encrypting during DFS redirects. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to read or alter the contents of the connection, posing a significant risk to data integrity and confidentiality.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
4.7.0-r0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade sambaTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling SMB3 encryption temporarily until the package can be updated. This can be done by configuring the Samba client settings to use a lower protocol version, but this is not recommended as it exposes the connection to other vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
CVE-2017-12151 represents a significant security vulnerability in Samba that can lead to severe data breaches through man-in-the-middle attacks. It is crucial for users to update their Samba installations to the patched versions to mitigate this risk. Regular monitoring for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert can help maintain the security of your software.
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FAQ
CVE-2017-12151 is a vulnerability in Samba that allows attackers to exploit encryption flaws, leading to potential man-in-the-middle attacks.
Samba versions prior to 4.4.16, 4.5.14, and 4.6.8 are affected by this vulnerability.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
The CVSS score of CVE-2017-12151 is 7.4, indicating a high severity level.
If you cannot update Samba immediately, consider disabling SMB3 encryption temporarily as a workaround, but be aware that this may expose your connection to other risks.
References
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