Wazuh: RBAC Issue With IT Hygiene Module

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Wazuh IT Hygiene Module RBAC Issue

Hey guys! We've got a critical discussion on our hands regarding the Wazuh IT Hygiene module and its Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). It seems there's a hiccup where the RBAC settings aren't being fully applied, and this could lead to some serious security concerns. Let's dive into the details and figure out how to tackle this.

The Problem: RBAC Not Enforced in IT Hygiene

So, the main issue here is that the IT Hygiene module in Wazuh isn't respecting the RBAC settings. This means that even if you've set up specific roles and permissions to limit access to certain agents, the IT Hygiene module is displaying all available agents. Imagine setting up a detailed security system, only to find that one of the main doors isn't locking properly – that's essentially what's happening here. This is especially concerning because the IT Hygiene module deals with a lot of sensitive data, and unrestricted access can be a major security risk.

Why This Matters

Think about it: RBAC is the backbone of your security infrastructure. It ensures that only authorized personnel can access specific data and functionalities. When RBAC isn't working correctly, it's like leaving the vault door open. In this case, the IT Hygiene module's comprehensive data – including details on various agents, their configurations, and potential vulnerabilities – becomes accessible to individuals who shouldn't have that access. This can lead to:

  • Data Breaches: Unauthorized access to sensitive information.
  • Compliance Issues: Failure to comply with regulatory requirements.
  • Internal Threats: Increased risk from malicious insiders.
  • Reputational Damage: Loss of trust from customers and stakeholders.

Real-World Scenario

Let's paint a picture. Suppose you have different teams responsible for different agent groups – maybe one team for servers, another for workstations, and yet another for critical infrastructure. With proper RBAC, each team should only see the agents they're responsible for. But if RBAC isn't enforced in the IT Hygiene module, a junior analyst might accidentally stumble upon sensitive data related to, say, the CEO's machine (CxO), which they shouldn't have access to. That's a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and a potential security nightmare.

The Technical Setup

In this particular case, the user, Cristi, is running Wazuh version 4.14.0 on an Ubuntu 24 LTS platform, deployed using Kubernetes via GitOps and a Helm chart. They've configured RBAC based on IDP roles, leveraging Wazuh policies, roles, and role mappings. This setup is designed to provide access to specific groups of agents and filter indexer documents to display only relevant information. The “old” components like threat hunting are working fine, but the IT Hygiene module is showing all agents, disregarding the RBAC settings.

Digging Deeper: Understanding the Configuration

To really get to the bottom of this, we need to understand how Cristi's RBAC is configured. The key components here are:

  • IDP Roles: These are roles defined in the Identity Provider (like Active Directory or Okta) that determine a user's general permissions.
  • Wazuh Policies: Policies in Wazuh define rules and actions that can be applied based on various conditions.
  • Wazuh Roles: Roles in Wazuh are collections of permissions that define what a user can do within the Wazuh environment.
  • Role Mappings: Role mappings connect IDP roles to Wazuh roles, effectively translating external identities into internal permissions.
  • Indexer Document Filtering: This feature allows Wazuh to filter the documents displayed in the dashboard based on specific criteria, such as groups or labels.

Cristi has set up this system to ensure that users only see the agents and data relevant to their roles. The fact that it's working for other components like threat hunting suggests that the core RBAC setup is likely correct. The issue seems to be isolated to the IT Hygiene module.

Potential Culprits

So, where could the problem lie? Here are a few possibilities:

  1. Module-Specific RBAC Implementation: The IT Hygiene module might have a different RBAC implementation or might not be fully integrated with the main RBAC system. This could be due to a bug or an oversight in the module's development.
  2. Configuration Overrides: There might be some configuration settings specific to the IT Hygiene module that are overriding the global RBAC settings. This could be unintentional, caused by a misconfiguration or a default setting that hasn't been changed.
  3. Data Aggregation Issues: The IT Hygiene module aggregates data from various sources. If the data aggregation process isn't properly respecting RBAC, it could be pulling in data from all agents, regardless of permissions.
  4. Dashboard Component Bugs: There might be a bug in the dashboard component responsible for displaying the IT Hygiene data. This could cause the dashboard to ignore the RBAC settings and display all available agents.

Troubleshooting Steps: Let's Get This Fixed!

Okay, so we know the problem and have some ideas about what might be causing it. Now, let's get our hands dirty and try to fix this. Here’s a breakdown of the steps we can take to troubleshoot this issue:

1. Review the Wazuh Configuration

The first step is to thoroughly review the Wazuh configuration files. We need to ensure that the RBAC settings are correctly defined and applied. Here’s what to look for:

  • roles.yml: This file defines the Wazuh roles and their associated permissions. Make sure that the roles are defined correctly and have the appropriate permissions for accessing agents and data.
  • mappings.yml: This file maps IDP roles to Wazuh roles. Verify that the mappings are correct and that users are being assigned the appropriate roles based on their IDP roles.
  • policies.yml: This file defines the Wazuh policies. Check that the policies are correctly configured to filter agents and data based on roles and groups.
  • indexer.yml: This file configures the indexer document filtering. Ensure that the filtering is working correctly and that documents are being filtered based on the correct criteria.

Pay close attention to any settings that might be specific to the IT Hygiene module. Look for any configuration options that might be overriding the global RBAC settings.

2. Check the IT Hygiene Module Configuration

Next, we need to dive into the IT Hygiene module's configuration. This might involve checking specific configuration files or database settings related to the module. Look for anything that might be affecting RBAC, such as:

  • Module-Specific Permissions: Does the IT Hygiene module have its own permission settings that need to be configured?
  • Default Settings: Are there any default settings that might be overriding the global RBAC?
  • Data Sources: How is the IT Hygiene module pulling data? Are the data sources correctly configured to respect RBAC?

3. Examine the Wazuh Logs

Wazuh logs are your best friend when troubleshooting issues. They can provide valuable insights into what's happening behind the scenes. Look for any error messages or warnings related to RBAC, the IT Hygiene module, or data access. Key logs to check include:

  • Wazuh Manager Logs: These logs contain information about the overall Wazuh system, including RBAC enforcement and policy application.
  • Wazuh API Logs: These logs track API requests and responses, which can help you see if RBAC is being applied correctly at the API level.
  • Wazuh Indexer Logs: These logs provide information about data indexing and filtering, which can help you troubleshoot issues with indexer document filtering.

4. Test RBAC at the API Level

To isolate the issue, try testing RBAC directly at the Wazuh API level. This can help you determine whether the problem lies in the dashboard or in the underlying RBAC implementation. You can use tools like curl or Postman to make API requests and check if the responses are respecting the RBAC settings. For example, you can try to retrieve a list of agents using an API key associated with a limited role and see if the response only includes the agents that the role has access to.

5. Review Kubernetes Configuration

Since Cristi is using Kubernetes, it’s essential to review the Kubernetes configuration as well. Ensure that the Wazuh components are correctly deployed and that there are no Kubernetes-level RBAC issues interfering with Wazuh's RBAC. Check things like:

  • Service Accounts: Are the Wazuh pods using the correct service accounts with the necessary permissions?
  • Network Policies: Are there any network policies that might be restricting access to the Wazuh API or data?
  • Ingress Configuration: Is the ingress configured correctly to route traffic to the Wazuh dashboard and API?

6. Engage the Wazuh Community

If you've tried all the above steps and are still stuck, don't hesitate to reach out to the Wazuh community. The Wazuh community is a vibrant and helpful group of users and developers who can provide valuable insights and assistance. You can post your issue on the Wazuh forums, Slack channel, or GitHub repository. When you post, be sure to include as much detail as possible about your setup, configuration, and troubleshooting steps.

Potential Solutions and Workarounds

While we're troubleshooting, it's helpful to think about potential solutions and workarounds. Here are a few ideas:

  • Patch or Upgrade: If this is a known issue, there might be a patch or a newer version of Wazuh that addresses the problem. Check the Wazuh release notes and consider upgrading to the latest version.
  • Custom API Endpoint: As a workaround, you could potentially create a custom API endpoint that enforces RBAC for the IT Hygiene module. This might involve writing some code to filter the data based on the user's role before returning it.
  • Temporary Access Controls: In the short term, you might need to implement some temporary access controls to restrict access to the IT Hygiene module. This could involve limiting access to the dashboard or disabling the module for certain users.

Long-Term Fixes: Preventing This in the Future

Once we've resolved the immediate issue, it's crucial to think about how to prevent this from happening again. Here are some steps we can take:

  • Improved Testing: Implement more comprehensive testing of RBAC in all Wazuh modules, including the IT Hygiene module. This should include both unit tests and integration tests to ensure that RBAC is working correctly.
  • Code Reviews: Conduct thorough code reviews to identify potential RBAC issues before they make it into production.
  • Documentation: Improve the documentation for RBAC in Wazuh, including specific instructions for configuring RBAC for the IT Hygiene module.
  • Community Feedback: Encourage users to provide feedback on RBAC issues and usability. This can help identify areas where improvements are needed.

Conclusion: Let's Keep Wazuh Secure!

Guys, this RBAC issue in the IT Hygiene module is a serious concern, but with a systematic approach to troubleshooting and a commitment to long-term fixes, we can get this resolved and keep our Wazuh deployments secure. Remember, security is a team effort, and by working together, we can ensure that Wazuh remains a powerful and reliable security tool. Let's roll up our sleeves and get this done!