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Security Bulletin: Multiple vulnerabilities in Apache Log4j impact IBM Spectrum Scale (CVE-2021-45105, CVE-2021-45046)

Security Bulletin


Summary

Multiple vulnerabilities in Apache Log4j could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code and denial of service on the system because the library is used by the Graphical User Interface (GUI) of IBM Spectrum Scale.

Vulnerability Details

CVEID:   CVE-2021-45105
DESCRIPTION:   Apache Log4j is vulnerable to a denial of service, caused by the failure to protect from uncontrolled recursion from self-referential lookups. A remote attacker with control over Thread Context Map (MDC) input data could craft malicious input data that contains a recursive lookup to cause a StackOverflowError that will terminate the process. Note: The vulnerability is also called LOG4J2-3230.
CVSS Base score: 7.5
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/215647 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H)

CVEID:   CVE-2021-45046
DESCRIPTION:   Apache Log4j could result in remote code execution, caused by an incomplete fix of CVE-2021-44228 in certain non-default configurations. When the logging configuration uses a non-default Pattern Layout with a Context Lookup, an attacker with control over Thread Context Map (MDC) input data can craft malicious input data using a JNDI Lookup pattern to leak sensitive information and remote code execution in some environments and local code execution in all environments.
CVSS Base score: 9
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/215195 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H)

Affected Products and Versions

Affected Product(s)Version(s)
IBM Spectrum Scale5.0.5.0 - 5.0.5.11
IBM Spectrum Scale5.1.0.0 - 5.1.2.1
IBM Spectrum Scale on AWS MarketplaceSpectrum Scale 5.0.5.3 BYOL v1.3.1
IBM Spectrum Scale container native storage access (CNSA)

5.1.0.1 - 5.1.2.1


Remediation/Fixes

IBM strongly recommends addressing the vulnerability by installing the Spectrum Scale version specific efix:

Note : If the following line “LOG4J_FORMAT_MSG_NO_LOOKUPS=true” was added to /etc/sysconfig/gpfsgui to mitigate the log4j issue, then remove the line.

1.) For IBM Spectrum Scale:

  • For IBM Spectrum Scale V5.0.5.0 - V5.0.5.11 and Spectrum Scale V5.0.5.3 BYOL V1.3.1, contact IBM Support or call, reference APAR IJ36851
  • For IBM Spectrum Scale V5.1.0 - V5.1.2.1 and for Spectrum Scale V5.0.5.3 BYOL V1.3.1 (if IBM Spectrum Scale version was upgraded to V5.1.0 and above) contact IBM Support or call, reference APAR IJ36818

          OR download efix:

  • Spectrum Scale V5.1.2.x versions of the efix are available here.
  • Spectrum Scale V5.1.1.x versions of the efix are available here:
  • Spectrum Scale V5.1.0.x versions of the efix are available here:
  • Spectrum Scale V5.0.5.x versions of the efix are available here:

2) For IBM Spectrum Scale container native storage access environments:

    To resolve the CVEs, apply the updated container native operator manifest file to pull and apply the new GUI container images built with Apache Log4j V2.17. 

    For CNSA V5.1.0.1 and V5.1.0.3

    Upgrade to a newer release of IBM Spectrum Scale container native storage access. 

    For CNSA V5.1.1.1

    Operator, GUI container images, and the generated operator manifest files have been updated.

    Apply the updated operator.yaml:

    oc apply -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/IBM/ibm-spectrum-scale-container-native/v5.1.1.1/generated/installer/ibm-spectrum-scale-operator.yaml

    For CNSA v5.1.1.3, v5.1.1.4, v5.1.2.1

    GUI container image and the generated operator manifest files have been updated.

          a.) Apply the generated operator manifest file to get the new digests for GUI

                - v5.1.1.3oc apply -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/IBM/ibm-spectrum-scale-container-native/v5.1.1.3/generated/installer/ibm-spectrum-scale-operator.yaml

                - v5.1.1.4oc apply -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/IBM/ibm-spectrum-scale-container-native/v5.1.1.4/generated/installer/ibm-spectrum-scale-operator.yaml

                - v5.1.2.1oc apply -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/IBM/ibm-spectrum-scale-container-native/v5.1.2.1/generated/installer/ibm-spectrum-scale-operator.yaml

           b.) Restart the operator pod:

                oc delete pod $(oc get pods -lapp.kubernetes.io/name=operator -n ibm-spectrum-scale-operator -o json | jq -r '.items[0].metadata.name') -n ibm-spectrum-scale-operator   

        

Workarounds and Mitigations

None

Get Notified about Future Security Bulletins

References

Off

Change History

22 Dec 2021: Initial Publication

*The CVSS Environment Score is customer environment specific and will ultimately impact the Overall CVSS Score. Customers can evaluate the impact of this vulnerability in their environments by accessing the links in the Reference section of this Security Bulletin.

Disclaimer

Review the IBM security bulletin disclaimer and definitions regarding your responsibilities for assessing potential impact of security vulnerabilities to your environment.

Document Location

Worldwide

[{"Business Unit":{"code":"BU058","label":"IBM Infrastructure w\/TPS"},"Product":{"code":"STXKQY","label":"IBM Spectrum Scale"},"Component":"","Platform":[{"code":"PF016","label":"Linux"}],"Version":"5.0.5.x and 5.1.x","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB26","label":"Storage"}}]

Document Information

Modified date:
30 December 2021

UID

ibm16537748