CVE-2012-5474 in OpenStack Platform
Summary
by MITRE
The file /etc/openstack-dashboard/local_settings within Red Hat OpenStack Platform 2.0 and RHOS Essex Release (python-django-horizon package before 2012.1.1) is world readable and exposes the secret key value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-5474 represents a critical misconfiguration issue within the Red Hat OpenStack Platform 2.0 and RHOS Essex Release environments. This flaw specifically affects the python-django-horizon package, which serves as the web interface for OpenStack's dashboard functionality. The vulnerability stems from improper file permissions that allow any user on the system to read the local_settings configuration file located at /etc/openstack-dashboard/. This configuration file contains sensitive cryptographic information that is essential for maintaining the security integrity of the web application.
The technical flaw manifests through the exposure of the Django secret key value through world-readable file permissions. In Django applications, the secret key serves as the foundation for cryptographic signing and session management, making it a critical security component. When this key becomes publicly accessible, attackers can exploit it to forge session cookies, impersonate users, and potentially escalate their privileges within the OpenStack environment. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-732, which describes inadequate permissions for critical security parameters, and represents a fundamental failure in principle of least privilege implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating a pathway for sophisticated attacks that can compromise the entire OpenStack deployment. An attacker with access to the secret key can manipulate session tokens, potentially gaining unauthorized access to administrative functions and user accounts. This exposure undermines the security model of the platform, as the secret key is typically used to ensure the integrity of signed data and secure communication between the web application and its users. The vulnerability affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the OpenStack dashboard, potentially allowing for privilege escalation and unauthorized system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5474 require immediate implementation of proper file permissions and access controls. The primary remediation involves setting restrictive permissions on the /etc/openstack-dashboard/local_settings file to ensure only authorized system processes and administrators can access the sensitive configuration data. Organizations should implement automated configuration management tools to prevent such misconfigurations from recurring. The fix aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.001, which covers privilege escalation through exploitation of weak file permissions, and emphasizes the importance of proper access control implementation. Security teams should also implement regular vulnerability scanning and configuration audits to identify similar misconfigurations across the OpenStack deployment. Additionally, the upgrade path to python-django-horizon version 2012.1.1 or later resolves this issue by implementing proper file permission controls within the package installation process, ensuring that sensitive cryptographic keys remain protected from unauthorized access.