CVE-2012-2664 in sos
Summary
by MITRE
The sosreport utility in the Red Hat sos package before 2.2-29 does not remove the root user password information from the Kickstart configuration file (/root/anaconda-ks.cfg) when creating an archive of debugging information, which might allow attackers to obtain passwords or password hashes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2664 represents a critical security flaw in the Red Hat sos package utility that affects systems running versions prior to 2.2-29. This issue specifically targets the sosreport utility which is designed to collect comprehensive debugging information from systems for support purposes. The flaw occurs during the archive creation process where the utility fails to properly sanitize sensitive data from the Kickstart configuration file located at /root/anaconda-ks.cfg. This configuration file typically contains root user password information and other authentication credentials that are essential for automated system installations. The failure to strip this sensitive information during the archiving process creates a significant exposure risk for systems that have undergone automated installations using Kickstart scripts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the sosreport utility. When the utility processes system information for debugging purposes, it indiscriminately includes the entire Kickstart configuration file without performing proper data sanitization checks. This behavior aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper output sanitization leading to information exposure. The vulnerability manifests because the utility lacks specific logic to identify and remove password hashes or plaintext credentials from configuration files that are part of the system debugging archive. Attackers who gain access to the sosreport archive can directly extract the password information from the anaconda-ks.cfg file, potentially compromising system security and enabling unauthorized access to root-level system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, creating cascading security risks for organizations that rely on automated system deployment and debugging procedures. Systems compromised through this vulnerability may experience unauthorized root access, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the exposed credentials could be used to access other systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where automated deployment tools are commonly used, as it undermines the security assumptions of systems that depend on Kickstart for consistent and reproducible installations. This flaw directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to gain persistent access to critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability also violates security best practices outlined in the NIST SP 800-53 security controls, particularly those related to access control and system configuration management.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to Red Hat sos package versions 2.2-29 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the sanitization issue. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of existing sosreport archives to identify and remove any compromised data. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to debugging archives, establishing strict access controls for sosreport functionality, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system configuration files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper data sanitization in security tools and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential access through the exploitation of system configuration files. Regular security assessments should include verification that debugging utilities properly handle sensitive information, and organizations should consider implementing automated tools to scan system archives for exposed credentials as part of their continuous security monitoring processes.