CVE-2012-3426 in Keystone
Summary
by MITRE
OpenStack Keystone before 2012.1.1, as used in OpenStack Folsom before Folsom-1 and OpenStack Essex, does not properly implement token expiration, which allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended authorization restrictions by (1) creating new tokens through token chaining, (2) leveraging possession of a token for a disabled user account, or (3) leveraging possession of a token for an account with a changed password.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-3426 represents a critical authorization flaw within OpenStack Keystone authentication service that affected versions prior to 2012.1.1. This issue specifically targets the token expiration mechanism implementation, which is fundamental to cloud infrastructure security. The vulnerability exists in OpenStack Folsom before Folsom-1 and OpenStack Essex releases, making it a widespread concern across multiple cloud deployments. The flaw undermines the core security model of Keystone by allowing unauthorized access through manipulated token handling, creating persistent access vectors that bypass intended security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper token expiration handling within the Keystone service. Attackers can exploit three distinct methods to bypass authorization restrictions through token manipulation. First, through token chaining, authenticated users can create new tokens that inherit the privileges of previous tokens without proper expiration validation. Second, attackers can leverage tokens associated with disabled user accounts, exploiting the system's failure to properly invalidate tokens when account status changes. Third, the vulnerability allows exploitation of tokens from accounts with changed passwords, indicating a failure to properly invalidate sessions when credential changes occur. This flaw directly relates to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and CWE-306, which covers missing authentication checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables persistent unauthorized access to cloud resources. An attacker with valid credentials can maintain access beyond the intended token expiration period, effectively creating a backdoor into cloud environments. This vulnerability particularly affects cloud deployments where token-based authentication is critical for access control, as it undermines the principle of least privilege and time-bound access. The persistence of access through token chaining means that even if administrators revoke tokens, compromised sessions may remain active. This creates a significant risk for data breaches and unauthorized resource consumption, as attackers can maintain long-term access without re-authentication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected OpenStack versions to 2012.1.1 or later, which contains the proper token expiration implementation. Organizations should implement comprehensive token lifecycle management policies that include immediate invalidation upon account changes, disabling, or password updates. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous token usage patterns and unauthorized token creation. The implementation of additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication can provide defense-in-depth against exploitation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566, which covers credential harvesting, and T1078, which addresses valid accounts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated token rotation policies and regular security audits to ensure proper token handling. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session management and token invalidation in cloud security architectures, particularly when dealing with identity and access management systems like Keystone.