Neo4j Neodash Config Exposure Scanner

Neo4j Neodash is a web-based dashboard builder specifically designed for Neo4j, a popular graph database system. It is commonly used by developers and data analysts to visualize data stored within Neo4j databases, providing interactive and dynamic dashboards. Neodash is utilized in various sectors such as finance, healthcare, and social networks, where there is a need to visualize complex relationships and large datasets. The platform simplifies the process of creating data-driven dashboards without extensive programming effort, making it accessible to a broader user base. Neo4j Neodash is especially beneficial for organizations aiming to leverage graph databases to gain insights from their data. With its user-friendly interface, the tool empowers teams to make data-driven decisions rapidly.

The Config Exposure vulnerability detected by this scanner refers to the unintended exposure of configuration files, specifically config.json, within the Neo4j Neodash web application. This file may contain sensitive information such as database connection details, including hostnames, ports, and database names. Malicious actors can exploit this exposure to gain unauthorized access to the database, potentially leading to data breaches and unauthorized data manipulations. The vulnerability underscores the importance of securing configuration files to prevent unauthorized disclosures. Detecting and mitigating this exposure helps safeguard sensitive data and maintain application integrity. It is crucial for system administrators to ensure that access to configuration files is appropriately restricted to authorized personnel only.

Technical details of the vulnerability include the exposure of sensitive fields within the config.json file accessible via HTTP GET requests at a certain endpoint. The endpoint in question is often left unsecured in default configurations or due to misconfigurations, inadvertently allowing public access. Critical parameters such as 'standaloneHost', 'standalonePort', and 'standaloneDatabase' are usually part of the file, and their exposure could compromise the security posture of the database. The scanner checks for specific JSON keywords and verifies the presence of a '200 OK' HTTP status code to confirm the existence of the file and the exposure of its contents. Implementing strict access control measures can help in preventing unauthorized access to such endpoints.

Exploiting the Config Exposure vulnerability could have several significant effects. Unauthorized individuals could obtain sensitive database connection details, allowing them to access and manipulate stored data maliciously. Such access might lead to data theft, unauthorized data alterations, or even complete database compromise. Additionally, exposure can facilitate further exploitation of the system by providing a foothold into the network, eventually leading to broader security breaches. For organizations, this could mean non-compliance with data protection regulations, financial losses, and reputational damage.

REFERENCES

• https://www.neo4j.com/
• https://neo4j.com/labs/neodash/?ref=neo4j