CVE-2012-3493 in condor
Summary
by MITRE
The command_give_request_ad function in condor_startd.V6/command.cpp Condor 7.6.x before 7.6.10 and 7.8.x before 7.8.4 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information, and possibly control or start arbitrary jobs, via a ClassAd request to the condor_startd port, which leaks the ClaimId.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3493 affects Condor distributed computing software versions 7.6.x before 7.6.10 and 7.8.x before 7.8.4, specifically within the command_give_request_ad function located in condor_startd.V6/command.cpp. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that exposes sensitive system information and potentially allows unauthorized control of computing resources. The vulnerability occurs when the condor_startd daemon receives a ClassAd request through its network port, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system's information disclosure mechanisms. The primary security concern stems from the leakage of ClaimId values, which are essential identifiers used by Condor to manage job claims and resource allocation within distributed computing environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of ClassAd requests within the condor_startd service, which operates as a daemon responsible for managing local resources on compute nodes within Condor clusters. When a remote attacker sends a specially crafted ClassAd request to the condor_startd port, the command_give_request_ad function fails to properly validate or sanitize the incoming data, resulting in the unintended exposure of ClaimId information. This information leakage creates a significant security risk as ClaimIds are critical components used by Condor's job scheduling and resource management systems to track job execution and resource allocation. The leaked ClaimId values can be exploited by attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to compute resources, manipulate job execution, or initiate arbitrary job processes within the affected cluster.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for more severe security breaches within distributed computing environments. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially control job execution on compromised nodes, start unauthorized jobs, or manipulate resource allocation decisions within the Condor cluster. This capability can lead to resource exhaustion, unauthorized computation, or even compromise the integrity of the entire distributed computing infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Condor for large-scale distributed computing tasks, potentially exposing sensitive computational resources to unauthorized access and control. Given that Condor is widely used in academic, research, and enterprise computing environments, the impact of this vulnerability could be extensive across multiple organizations.
The flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a specific instance of information leakage that occurs through improper input handling in network services. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and potentially T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell or Command Shell, as attackers could leverage the leaked ClaimId information to execute unauthorized commands or manipulate job execution. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in distributed computing systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the available security patches, restricting network access to condor_startd ports, and implementing proper firewall rules to limit exposure. Additionally, regular monitoring of network traffic for suspicious ClassAd requests and implementing robust logging mechanisms can help detect potential exploitation attempts and provide early warning of security incidents.