CVE-2010-4340 in libcloud
Summary
by MITRE
libcloud before 0.4.1 does not verify SSL certificates for HTTPS connections, which allows remote attackers to spoof certificates and bypass intended access restrictions via a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4340 affects libcloud versions prior to 0.4.1 and represents a critical security flaw in the handling of secure communications. This issue stems from the library's failure to validate SSL certificates during HTTPS connections, creating a fundamental weakness that undermines the security of network communications. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification process, which is a cornerstone of secure socket layer protocols and essential for establishing trust between communicating parties. Without proper certificate validation, the library becomes susceptible to various forms of cryptographic attacks that compromise the integrity and confidentiality of data transmission.
The technical flaw manifests as a missing validation step in the SSL/TLS handshake process within the libcloud library implementation. When establishing HTTPS connections, the library should verify the authenticity of the server's SSL certificate against trusted certificate authorities and validate that the certificate matches the target host. However, versions before 0.4.1 bypass this crucial verification, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates without detection. This absence of certificate validation creates a pathway for man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors can intercept and potentially modify communications between clients and servers. The flaw operates at the transport layer security level, making it particularly dangerous as it affects all HTTPS connections established through the vulnerable library.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables attackers to bypass intended access controls and potentially gain unauthorized access to systems or data. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to establish fraudulent connections with services, potentially accessing sensitive information or performing unauthorized operations. The vulnerability is especially concerning in cloud computing environments where libcloud is commonly used for managing cloud infrastructure, as it undermines the security of cloud service communications. Organizations using affected versions of libcloud may unknowingly expose their cloud resources to unauthorized access, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for cloud-based applications and services that rely on secure communications.
The security implications of CVE-2010-4340 align with common weakness enumerations identified in the CWE database under CWE-295, which covers improper certificate validation. This classification specifically addresses the failure to validate certificates in secure communications, making it a direct match for the vulnerability described. The attack pattern associated with this flaw corresponds to the MITM techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework, particularly under the network infiltration and credential access categories. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to libcloud version 0.4.1 or later, which implements proper SSL certificate verification. Additional mitigations include implementing network-level monitoring to detect suspicious certificate behavior and establishing certificate pinning mechanisms where appropriate. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and the necessity of thorough security testing for all components involved in secure communications.