CVE-2011-1551 in openSUSE Factory
Summary
by MITRE
SUSE openSUSE Factory assigns ownership of the /var/log/cobbler/ directory tree to the web-service user account, which might allow local users to gain privileges by leveraging access to this account during root filesystem operations by the Cobbler daemon.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1551 represents a privilege escalation risk within the SUSE openSUSE Factory distribution's Cobbler daemon implementation. This issue stems from the improper assignment of directory ownership during the system's initialization process, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by local attackers. The problem specifically affects the /var/log/cobbler/ directory tree which is configured to be owned by the web-service user account rather than the appropriate system user or root account. This misconfiguration creates a potential attack vector that leverages the elevated privileges of the web service account to perform unauthorized operations on the root filesystem.
The technical flaw manifests through the Cobbler daemon's handling of filesystem operations during system boot or configuration processes. When the daemon performs root filesystem operations, it inadvertently grants the web-service user account elevated privileges that extend beyond normal operational boundaries. This occurs because the /var/log/cobbler/ directory tree is not properly secured with restrictive permissions or ownership assignments that would prevent unauthorized access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and specifically relates to improper file and directory permissions that allow unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it allows local users to leverage existing access to the web-service account to perform operations that should only be available to root-level processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader system compromise potential. Local attackers who can gain access to the web-service user account can utilize this vulnerability to manipulate system configuration files, access sensitive logs, or potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This creates a significant risk for systems where the web-service user account might be accessible through various attack vectors such as web application exploits, misconfigured services, or compromised user accounts. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of system logs and configuration data, potentially exposing sensitive information about system operations, network configurations, or deployment processes that are typically protected within the cobbler framework. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1068, which covers local privilege escalation techniques, and T1566, which addresses social engineering methods that could lead to initial access to the web-service account.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1551 should focus on proper directory ownership and permission management within the Cobbler installation. System administrators should immediately verify that the /var/log/cobbler/ directory tree is owned by the root user with restrictive permissions that prevent unauthorized access. The recommended approach involves implementing proper file system permissions using chmod and chown commands to ensure that only authorized system processes can access these critical directories. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to verify that no other directories within the Cobbler framework are improperly configured with weak ownership or permissions. The system should be updated to versions that properly address this issue through secure default configurations, and administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to the web-service user account. Configuration management tools should be employed to maintain consistent and secure permissions across all systems running Cobbler services, ensuring that the privilege escalation vector is eliminated through proper access control implementations.