H3-2025-0028
Unsecured InfluxDB Access via Misconfiguration
| Category | SECURITY_MISCONFIGURATION |
| Base Score | 9.0 |
Description
The vulnerability arises when InfluxDB, a popular time-series database, is deployed without proper authentication mechanisms, leaving it exposed to unauthenticated access. In this scenario, attackers can send simple HTTP GET requests to endpoints such as '/query?db=db&q=SHOW%20DATABASES' to retrieve sensitive configuration details including a list of databases. The detection method is based on identifying specific response patterns, such as the presence of the keywords '"results":' and '"name":"databases"', which indicate that the server is returning internal queries without requiring credentials. This misconfiguration might occur due to legacy settings, oversight during setup, or insufficient hardening practices. Once an attacker has access to this information, they could potentially execute further queries to extract detailed time-series data, modify the database contents, or even delete critical data. The lack of authentication not only compromises the confidentiality of the system but may allow unauthorized manipulation and corruption of data, leading to significant operational and financial impacts. The issue is exacerbated if the database is exposed over public networks or if it is coupled with other vulnerabilities. Robust security measures such as proper authentication, network segmentation, and continuous monitoring are critical to ensure that InfluxDB instances are not inadvertently left unprotected. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the need for secure configuration practices and the importance of defensive coding and system hardening strategies within database services.
Impact
If exploited, attackers can gain unauthorized access to the InfluxDB instance, allowing them to view, modify, or delete time-series data. This may result in severe information disclosure, operational disruption, data loss, and could be leveraged as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. Business operations can suffer due to data manipulation or deletion, while the confidentiality of potentially sensitive metrics is compromised.