OpenSearch Dashboard Unauthenticated Access Scanner

OpenSearch Dashboard is a popular visualization and management tool specifically designed for OpenSearch. Many organizations utilize it to create real-time dashboards that visualize search and analytics data. The dashboard interface allows for detailed monitoring and management of OpenSearch deployments. Due to its widespread use, ensuring the security of OpenSearch Dashboards is critical for maintaining data integrity and system performance. The tool is often employed by data analysts, DevOps teams, and IT departments who require robust data visualization capabilities. Protecting this tool from unauthorized access is crucial to maintaining organization-wide data security.

The vulnerability detected by this scanner involves the ability to access OpenSearch Dashboard without any authentication. Unauthorized access to the dashboard could lead to exposure of sensitive information and give access to critical system functionalities. This threat can be especially problematic, as it might result in data breaches or unauthorized modifications within the system. The scanner seeks to identify instances of dashboards that are left open without proper access control mechanisms in place. Detecting and remediating this issue is vital for protecting organizational data from unauthorized manipulation. Ensuring authentication is enforced on OpenSearch Dashboard is a primary step in maintaining secure data operations.

Technically, the vulnerability details pertain to accessing the endpoint /app/home#/ on the OpenSearch Dashboard with a GET request. If the response indicates success with an HTTP 200 status and contains specific textual markers, it implies unauthenticated access. Such markers include the presence of font files like "SourceSans3" and phrases like "OpenSearch" within the response body. Detecting these indications confirms that the dashboard is accessible without user credentials. The presence of these markers suggests that the dashboard’s security settings have not been correctly configured to enforce authentication.

The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to several severe effects. Unauthenticated access may allow attackers to view sensitive data and system configurations that are displayed on the dashboard. Attackers could potentially manipulate dashboards, interfere with data representations, and even conduct more sophisticated attacks leveraging exposed information. Moreover, it serves as a gateway for unauthorized users to gain insights into the architecture of internal systems. By not addressing this issue, an organization may inadvertently expose itself to data theft, integrity issues, and compliance violations.

REFERENCES

• https://opensearch.org/docs/latest/dashboards/index/