CVE-2012-2679 in rhncfg
Summary
by MITRE
Red Hat Network (RHN) Configuration Client (rhncfg-client) in rhncfg before 5.10.27-8 uses weak permissions (world-readable) for /var/log/rhncfg-actions, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information about the rhncfg-client actions by reading the file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-2679 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Red Hat Network Configuration Client component of the rhncfg system. This issue affects versions of the software prior to 5.10.27-8 and stems from improper file permission settings that create an exploitable condition for local attackers. The affected file path /var/log/rhncfg-actions contains sensitive operational data that should remain restricted to authorized users only, yet the system configuration allows world-readable access to this critical log file.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the rhncfg-client component which generates detailed logs of configuration management actions performed on managed systems. These logs typically contain information about system modifications, configuration changes, and operational activities that could reveal sensitive details about the target environment. When the file permissions are set to world-readable, any local user on the system can access this information without authentication or authorization. This weak permission model violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and data protection, creating an information exposure scenario that could be leveraged by malicious actors.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local users to gain unauthorized access to configuration management logs that may contain sensitive system information, including but not limited to system configurations, user credentials, network settings, and operational procedures. The exposure of such information could facilitate further attacks, as an attacker might discover system vulnerabilities, identify potential targets for privilege escalation, or gain insights into system architecture and operational practices. The implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as this data could be used to craft more sophisticated attacks or to understand the security posture of the affected systems.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which specifically addresses improper file permissions and inadequate access control mechanisms. This weakness represents a classic example of insufficient privilege separation where sensitive data is accessible to all users on the system without proper access controls. From an attack framework perspective, this issue maps to ATT&CK technique T1005, which covers data from local system repositories, and T1083, which involves file and directory discovery. The attack surface is limited to local users but the impact can be significant given the nature of configuration management data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate implementation of proper file permissions on the affected log file, ensuring that only authorized users and processes can access the sensitive information contained within. The recommended solution involves setting restrictive permissions such as 600 or 640 on the /var/log/rhncfg-actions file, preventing world-read access while maintaining necessary functionality for system administrators. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security audits to verify proper file permissions and access controls across their systems. The most effective long-term solution requires updating to rhncfg version 5.10.27-8 or later, which includes proper access control mechanisms and resolves the underlying permission configuration issue. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting for unauthorized access attempts to sensitive log files, as well as establishing comprehensive logging and auditing procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts.