CVE-2012-3491 in condor
Summary
by MITRE
src/condor_schedd.V6/schedd.cpp in Condor 7.6.x before 7.6.10 and 7.8.x before 7.8.4 does not properly check the permissions of jobs, which allows remote authenticated users to remove arbitrary idle jobs via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3491 affects the Condor distributed computing system version 7.6.x before 7.6.10 and 7.8.x before 7.8.4. This issue resides within the schedd.cpp file in the condor_schedd.V6 component, specifically in the job permission checking mechanism. The flaw represents a critical access control vulnerability that undermines the security model of the distributed job management system.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate permission validation within the job management subsystem where the system fails to properly verify user permissions when processing job removal requests. This vulnerability allows remote authenticated users to exploit unspecified vectors to remove arbitrary idle jobs from the system. The lack of proper authorization checks means that malicious users with valid credentials can manipulate the job queue and potentially disrupt legitimate computational workloads. This represents a classic privilege escalation scenario where users can perform actions beyond their intended permissions, specifically targeting job lifecycle management functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple job removal capabilities. Attackers could potentially cause denial of service conditions by removing critical jobs, disrupt computational workflows, or create confusion in job scheduling and resource allocation. The vulnerability affects systems where Condor is used for distributed computing, batch job processing, or high-performance computing environments where job management integrity is paramount. Organizations relying on Condor for scientific computing, research projects, or large-scale data processing could face significant operational disruptions if exploited.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The flaw demonstrates inadequate input validation and authorization checks that should be enforced at multiple levels within the system architecture. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage system weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to resources. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, monitoring for unusual job removal patterns, and ensuring proper access controls are maintained for all system users. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to Condor versions 7.6.10 or 7.8.4, which contain the necessary patches to address the permission checking deficiencies. Additionally, system administrators should review and enforce strict user access controls, implement monitoring for job management activities, and conduct regular security assessments of distributed computing environments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging.