Opened exploitable ports in default docker-compose.yaml in go-ipfs
Impact
Allows admin API access to the IPFS node.
Who ?
This affects people running the [docker-compose.yaml](https://github.com/ipfs/go-ipfs/blob/master/docker-compose.yaml) service in an environment where the docker host is directly attached to a public or untrusted IP. In the vulnerable version, the private API endpoint is publicly forwarded by exposing it as 0.0.0.0:5001 on the host machine.
If the host machine is hidden behind a firewall or NAT (and the LAN is trusted for NAT), this is not an immediate issue because of the protection from the firewall or NAT. That said, we still recommend users update to follow security best practices of not putting unnecessary dependency on a working firewall.
Patches
This issue is in [docker-compose.yaml](https://github.com/ipfs/go-ipfs/blob/master/docker-compose.yaml). Users need to replace their current docker-compose.yaml file with a version 0.12.1 or later.
There is no need to update any of the binaries. Users running previous versions like 0.12.0 or earlier can download the 0.12.1 docker-compose.yaml file. You can replace a vulnerable docker-compose.yaml file with a the new one with:
```
curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ipfs/go-ipfs/v0.12.1/docker-compose.yaml > docker-compose.yaml
```
How to test if you are vulnerable
Binding check on the host
On the host machine, while IPFS is running, run as root:
```bash
netstat -lnp | grep ":5001"
```
The output will be a list of listeners bound to :5001.
You then need to check that those listeners are private and preferably even localhost IPs.
⚠️ If this listener is on 0.0.0.0 or a public IP you are very likely vulnerable.
Remote hailing
While IPFS is running, you can try to contact the API from a remote machine. (Replace 1.2.3.4 with your node public IP. Or if you want to test in an untrusted NAT, then substitute the LAN IP instead.)
```bash
curl -X POST http://1.2.3.4:5001/api/v0/version
```
⚠️ If you see any json outputted (e.g., {"Commit": "<string>","Golang": "<string>","Repo": "<string>","System": "<string>","Version": "<string>"}), then you are vulnerable.
If it fails, then you are safe.
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Please first read https://docs.ipfs.io/reference/http/api/ about best practices
- Ask in [IPFS Discord #ipfs-chatter](https://discord.gg/ipfs)
- Open an issue in [go-ipfs](https://github.com/ipfs/go-ipfs)
