CouchDB Default Login Scanner

CouchDB is a popular open-source NoSQL database used for handling large volumes of data efficiently. It is often deployed by organizations looking for a flexible and scalable solution for data management, especially in environments that emphasize availability and partition tolerance. Companies in various sectors like technology, finance, and healthcare utilize CouchDB to manage JSON data, enabling real-time analytics and offline data synchronization. In addition, CouchDB's unique append-only database format and automated conflict resolution feature make it a favored choice for businesses focused on data integrity and reliability. Admins appreciate the straightforward interface and RESTful HTTP/JSON API, facilitating seamless integration with a host of applications and platforms. The tool's robust architecture supports high throughput and concurrency, which are essential for web and mobile applications requiring consistent and rapid data processing.

The vulnerability detected relates to CouchDB's default authentication settings, which can be exploited if not properly configured, leading to unauthorized access. By default, CouchDB installations may have weak or predictable admin credentials, making systems susceptible to brute-force attacks. It's crucial to address such vulnerabilities to maintain system integrity and safeguard sensitive data from potential breaches. Use of weak credentials is an all too common oversight, often due to improper setup during initial deployments or testing phases. As CouchDB is frequently used to store critical data, ensuring that strong, unique passwords are enforced is paramount. Failure to secure the admin account can lead to unauthorized data manipulation and potential data loss, affecting business operations and eroding customer trust.

The default login vulnerability allows unauthorized parties to access the database using common usernames and passwords. During the attack, malicious actors send a POST request to the /_session endpoint with combinations of default credentials. When successful, the response from CouchDB contains specific indicators in the body and headers, confirming access has been gained. The response typically includes JSON content with an "ok:true" field, coupled with session details in the headers such as AuthSession=. This vulnerability primarily targets CouchDB installations that have not implemented strict credential policies or left initial configurations unmodified. By leveraging this security weakness, attackers can elevate privileges and execute administrative functions which might include viewing or modifying data without prior authorization.

Exploiting this vulnerability can result in attackers gaining full administrative access to the CouchDB database, leading to compromise of data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers can easily harvest, modify, or delete data, potentially overriding important records which can disrupt business processes. Moreover, once inside, they may deploy further attacks, use the database as a backend for malicious activities, or exfiltrate sensitive information, posing as significant security and compliance risk. In the worst-case scenario, this can result in data corruption or destruction, impeding recovery efforts and severely impacting organizational operations and reputation.

REFERENCES

• https://couchdb.apache.org/