Vitess users with backup storage access can gain unauthorized access to production deployment environments

Vitess is a database clustering system for horizontal scaling of MySQL. Prior to versions 23.0.3 and 22.0.4, anyone with read/write access to the backup storage location (e.g. an S3 bucket) can manipulate backup manifest files so that arbitrary code is later executed when that backup is restored. This can be used to provide that attacker with unintended/unauthorized access to the production deployment environment — allowing them to access information available in that environment as well as run any additional arbitrary commands there. Versions 23.0.3 and 22.0.4 contain a patch. Some workarounds are available. Those who intended to use an external decompressor then can always specify that decompressor command in the --external-decompressor flag value for vttablet and vtbackup. That then overrides any value specified in the manifest file. Those who did not intend to use an external decompressor, nor an internal one, can specify a value such as cat or tee in the --external-decompressor flag value for vttablet and vtbackup to ensure that a harmless command is always used.