CVE-2012-5476 in OpenStack Dashboard Package
Summary
by MITRE
Within the RHOS Essex Preview (2012.2) of the OpenStack dashboard package, the file /etc/quantum/quantum.conf is world readable which exposes the admin password and token value.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5476 represents a critical misconfiguration issue within the OpenStack dashboard package version 2012.2, commonly known as RHOS Essex Preview. This flaw resides in the quantum.conf configuration file which is installed with the OpenStack dashboard components and contains sensitive administrative credentials that are accessible to all users on the system. The configuration file path /etc/quantum/quantum.conf serves as a central repository for network service parameters including authentication tokens and administrative passwords that are essential for maintaining the security boundaries of the cloud infrastructure.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-732, which describes improper restriction of operations within a security domain, and specifically manifests as an inadequate access control mechanism that allows unauthorized users to read critical system configuration files. The flaw occurs because the file permissions are not properly configured to restrict access to only authorized administrative processes and users, creating a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by any local user with basic system access. The exposed administrative password and token values provide attackers with direct access to the quantum networking service, which governs network connectivity and security policies within the OpenStack environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to the underlying network infrastructure managed by the quantum service. This access could allow adversaries to manipulate network configurations, create unauthorized virtual networks, modify security groups, and potentially establish persistent access points within the cloud environment. The exposure of administrative tokens particularly undermines the principle of least privilege and can lead to comprehensive compromise of the networking layer, affecting multiple virtual machines and services that depend on quantum network services for connectivity and security.
Security mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through proper file permission configuration, ensuring that the quantum.conf file is accessible only to authorized administrative processes and users. The recommended approach involves setting restrictive file permissions such as 600 or 640, and implementing proper access control lists that limit read access to the specific system accounts that require these credentials. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security audits to verify that configuration files maintain appropriate access controls and consider implementing automated monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive configuration files. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security best practices outlined in the OpenStack security guidelines and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential access through unsecured configuration files and the broader T1078 framework for legitimate credentials usage.
The presence of this vulnerability in a widely deployed cloud platform version highlights the critical need for comprehensive security testing during software development and deployment phases. Organizations should implement mandatory security configuration reviews and ensure that all system components undergo proper access control validation before being placed into production environments. Regular security training for system administrators and development teams regarding proper file permission management and configuration file security practices remains essential for preventing similar incidents. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper configuration management processes that can automatically enforce security policies across all deployed components within the OpenStack infrastructure.