Metabase Remote Code Execution Scanner

Metabase is a popular open-source business intelligence tool used by small and large organizations to analyze and report on data. It allows users to visualize data and create dashboards without writing SQL queries. Built to be user-friendly, it integrates seamlessly with various database systems such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, and others, making it versatile and scalable. Metabase is widely used in data-driven decision-making processes, enabling teams to gain insights from their datasets efficiently. It is typically used by data analysts, business intelligence teams, and decision-makers to enhance operational workflows. Its widespread usage makes it a critical tool in data management and business growth.

The Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in Metabase is a significant security concern. This vulnerability arises from an incomplete patch in Apache Log4j, a logging tool used by many enterprise applications, including Metabase, for logging activity data. Attackers exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious data to Metabase instances, potentially leading to full system compromise. Without authorized access, cybercriminals could execute arbitrary code, leading to a host of detrimental impacts. This type of vulnerability is particularly harmful due to its low required expertise to exploit and the high impact it can have on security, confidentiality, and integrity. The severity of an RCE is underscored by its high potential for causing advanced and persistent threats in affected systems.

Technically, the RCE vulnerability in Metabase exploits a specific endpoint related to Apache Log4j's JNDI features, allowing for injection of malicious JNDI lookups. The vulnerable endpoint in question is typically linked to specific API functions like '/api/geojson' in Metabase. Through this entry point, attackers can craft specific payloads to trigger interactions with malicious LDAP servers, leading to the execution of harmful Java classes. The exploitation path involves interactive DNS request and response cycles, indicating a potential data exfiltration path coupled with execution capability. By manipulating request headers and leveraging dynamic endpoints, attackers can insert harmful code that the vulnerable Log4j service interprets and executes. This technical detail demonstrates how seemingly simple requests can be leveraged to execute arbitrary and potentially destructive command sequences on affected systems.

When the RCE vulnerability is exploited, it can lead to severe consequences including unauthorized access to sensitive information, disruption of services, and corruption of critical data. Attackers may gain administrative privileges, allowing them to change system configurations, execute arbitrary code, deploy malware, or extract confidential data from Metabase instances. This undermines the organization's data integrity and availability, leading to potential financial loss, reputational damage, and legal repercussions. Moreover, compromised systems could be leveraged as pivot points to expand attacks to other interconnected systems, exacerbating the potential for widespread systemic infiltration. Failure to mitigate this vulnerability promptly could result in a prolonged attack period, skewing data-driven insights and causing detrimental business operations disruptions.

REFERENCES

• Cybersecurity Help Advisory
• Apache Log4j Security Page
• NVD CVE-2021-44228