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Repository index file allows for duplicates of the same chart entry in helm

Low severity GitHub Reviewed Published Sep 17, 2020 in helm/helm • Updated Oct 2, 2023

Package

gomod helm.sh/helm (Go)

Affected versions

< 2.16.11

Patched versions

2.16.11
gomod helm.sh/helm/v3 (Go)
>= 3.0.0, < 3.3.2
3.3.2

Description

Impact

During a security audit of Helm's code base, security researchers at Trail of Bits identified a bug in which the a Helm repository can contain duplicates of the same chart, with the last one always used. If a repository is compromised, this lowers the level of access that an attacker needs to inject a bad chart into a repository.

To perform this attack, an attacker must have write access to the index file (which can occur during a MITM attack on a non-SSL connection).

Specific Go Packages Affected

helm.sh/helm/v3/pkg/repo

Patches

This issue has been patched in Helm 3.3.2 and 2.16.11

Workarounds

  • do not install charts from repositories you do not trust
  • fetch charts using a secure channel of communication (such as TLS)
  • use helm pull to fetch the chart, then review the chart’s content (either manually, or with helm verify if it has been signed) to ensure it has not been tampered with
  • manually review the index file in the Helm repository cache before installing software.

References

@technosophos technosophos published to helm/helm Sep 17, 2020
Published by the National Vulnerability Database Sep 17, 2020
Reviewed May 24, 2021
Published to the GitHub Advisory Database May 24, 2021
Last updated Oct 2, 2023

Severity

Low

CVSS overall score

This score calculates overall vulnerability severity from 0 to 10 and is based on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS).
/ 10

CVSS v3 base metrics

Attack vector
Network
Attack complexity
High
Privileges required
High
User interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
Low
Availability
None

CVSS v3 base metrics

Attack vector: More severe the more the remote (logically and physically) an attacker can be in order to exploit the vulnerability.
Attack complexity: More severe for the least complex attacks.
Privileges required: More severe if no privileges are required.
User interaction: More severe when no user interaction is required.
Scope: More severe when a scope change occurs, e.g. one vulnerable component impacts resources in components beyond its security scope.
Confidentiality: More severe when loss of data confidentiality is highest, measuring the level of data access available to an unauthorized user.
Integrity: More severe when loss of data integrity is the highest, measuring the consequence of data modification possible by an unauthorized user.
Availability: More severe when the loss of impacted component availability is highest.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N

EPSS score

Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS)

This score estimates the probability of this vulnerability being exploited within the next 30 days. Data provided by FIRST.
(57th percentile)

Weaknesses

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. Learn more on MITRE.

Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')

The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component. Learn more on MITRE.

Use of Multiple Resources with Duplicate Identifier

The product uses multiple resources that can have the same identifier, in a context in which unique identifiers are required. Learn more on MITRE.

CVE ID

CVE-2020-15185

GHSA ID

GHSA-jm56-5h66-w453

Source code

No known source code
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