CVE-2015-1427
Elasticsearch Groovy Scripting Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2015-1427 is a critical vulnerability affecting Elastic Elasticsearch. The Groovy scripting engine in Elasticsearch allows remote attackers to bypass the sandbox protection mechanism and execute arbitrary shell commands. An attacker can exploit this flaw without authentication over the network. CISA has added this vulnerability to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. The EPSS score of 92.33% (99.7th percentile) indicates a significantly elevated exploitation probability.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| elastic | elasticsearch | < 1.3.8; >= 1.4.0, < 1.4.3 |
| redhat | fuse | 1.0.0 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/130368/Elasticsearch-1.3.7-1.4.2-Sandbox-Escape-Command-Execution.html(Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/130784/ElasticSearch-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html(Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.elasticsearch.com/blog/elasticsearch-1-4-3-1-3-8-released/(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/534689/100/0/threaded(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/72585(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0868(Third Party Advisory)
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/100850(Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://www.elastic.co/community/security/(Not Applicable, Vendor Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2015-1427(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
Unspecified Weakness
No specific CWE classification has been assigned to this vulnerability. The underlying weakness enables remote exploitation of Elastic Elasticsearch, potentially leading to unauthorized access or code execution.
Learn more: CWE Database
Impact Analysis
CVE-2015-1427 carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 (CRITICAL), reflecting the serious risk it poses to affected environments. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of data confidentiality, full system integrity compromise, and complete denial of service. The attack vector is network-based with low complexity, meaning exploitation is straightforward and can be reliably repeated. Organizations running Elastic Elasticsearch face tangible risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and operational disruption if this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2015-1427 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of 2022-04-15, confirming that real-world exploitation has been observed. The EPSS score of 92.33% (99.7th percentile) places this vulnerability among those most likely to be exploited. Public exploit code is available in vulnerability databases, lowering the barrier for attackers and increasing the urgency of remediation.
Remediation
- Apply updates per vendor instructions. This is the CISA-mandated remediation action and should be prioritized immediately.
- If patches cannot be applied immediately, restrict network access to the affected Elasticsearch management interfaces to only trusted administrative networks using firewall rules or access control lists.
- Monitor vendor security advisories for additional updates and ensure a patch management process is in place for timely deployment.
- Conduct a thorough review of affected systems for signs of prior compromise, including unexpected user accounts, modified configurations, and unusual network activity.
- Implement defense-in-depth measures including network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and continuous security monitoring for the affected infrastructure.
Technical Details
CVE-2015-1427 is exploitable remotely over the network without any prior authentication. The Groovy scripting engine in Elasticsearch allows remote attackers to bypass the sandbox protection mechanism and execute arbitrary shell commands. The attack complexity is rated low, meaning no specialized conditions or preparation are needed beyond network access to the target. The scope is unchanged, meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the combination of these factors and the potential for significant damage to affected systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2015-1427 being actively exploited?
Yes. CISA has confirmed active exploitation by adding CVE-2015-1427 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The EPSS score of 92.33% (99.7th percentile) further indicates high exploitation likelihood.
What products are affected by CVE-2015-1427?
CVE-2015-1427 affects Elastic Elasticsearch. Specifically, affected products include elastic elasticsearch, redhat fuse.
How do I fix CVE-2015-1427?
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Ensure your systems are updated to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not feasible, restrict network access to the affected system's management interfaces.
How severe is CVE-2015-1427?
CVE-2015-1427 has a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This is a critical vulnerability that should be remediated with the highest priority. The vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote attackers to potentially compromise affected Elasticsearch systems.
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