Erlang Port Mapper Daemon Security Misconfiguration Scanner
This scanner detects the Erlang Port Mapper Daemon Security Misconfiguration in digital assets. It identifies misconfigurations that allow unauthorized access to distributed Erlang instances, thus ensuring the security and integrity of system communications.
Short Info
Level
Low
Single Scan
Single Scan
Can be used by
Asset Owner
Estimated Time
10 seconds
Time Interval
19 days 17 hours
Scan only one
Domain, IPv4, Subdomain
Toolbox
-
The Erlang Port Mapper Daemon (EPMD) is crucial for the coordination of distributed Erlang instances. It serves industries relying on distributed computing, primarily used by developers and system administrators managing Erlang-based clusters. EPMD maps symbolic node names to machine addresses, ensuring seamless communication efficiency. Its role is vital in systems where Erlang nodes require precise coordination for consistent performance and reliability. While integral to certain deployments, its presence can be a point of vulnerability if not correctly configured. Thus, securing EPMD configurations is essential for maintaining robust distributed systems.
The vulnerability in question involves the misconfiguration of the EPMD, a service providing critical node mapping functionality for distributed processes. Misconfigured EPMD can lead to unauthorized access, as it inaccurately maps node names to machine addresses. This vulnerability often results from improper setup or insufficient security measures, exposing the system to potential exploitation. Security misconfigurations typically allow attackers to gather sensitive information or perform unauthorized actions. Identifying this vulnerability is necessary to prevent unauthorized node access in distributed Erlang environments. Fixing this issue is essential for maintaining secure and controlled systems.
Technical details regarding this misconfiguration involve the EPMD's role in binding node names to addresses on port 4369. Attackers can exploit any oversight in access restrictions, potentially gaining ability to intercept or falsify network communications. It’s critical to ensure EPMD accesses are only allowed from trusted nodes, closing unwarranted open ports. Configurations should also log and monitor acceptable traffic patterns, minimizing attack footprint. Regular audits and updates to these configurations are necessary to safeguard against evolving threats. Addressing these vulnerabilities involves comprehensive endpoint scrutiny and rigorous security policy enforcement. Protecting these configurations is crucial to maintaining system integrity.
Exploited misconfigurations in the EPMD can have several harmful effects, including unauthorized access to node communications. Attackers might leverage this access to manipulate or intercept data, disrupt service operation, or cause distributed network failures. This jeopardizes the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of systems dependent on Erlang nodes. In severe cases, compromised EPMD can lead to data breaches or unauthorized activity detection within networked systems. Additionally, infrastructure dependencies on Erlang can magnify these effects, potentially disrupting business continuity. Recognizing and addressing these vulnerabilities is imperative to prevent such far-reaching impacts.
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