CVE-2012-6116 in katello-configure
Summary
by MITRE
modules/certs/manifests/config.pp in katello-configure before 1.3.3.pulpv2 in Katello uses weak permissions (666) for the Candlepin bootstrap RPM, which allows local users to modify the Candlepin CA certificate by writing to this file.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6116 resides within the katello-configure tool suite, specifically in the modules/certs/manifests/config.pp file of Katello versions prior to 1.3.3.pulpv2. This issue represents a critical misconfiguration that undermines the security posture of systems relying on Katello for content management and certificate handling. The flaw manifests through the use of overly permissive file permissions, specifically setting the RPM file to 666 permissions, which grants read, write, and execute access to all users on the system. This configuration creates a significant attack surface where local users can exploit the weak permissions to modify critical certificate files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of file permissions during the Candlepin bootstrap process within the Katello infrastructure. When the system generates or manages the Candlepin CA certificate through the bootstrap RPM, it fails to enforce proper access controls that would normally restrict write permissions to only privileged system accounts. The 666 permission setting essentially removes all permission restrictions, allowing any local user to modify the certificate file. This misconfiguration directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper file access control enforcement. The vulnerability enables arbitrary modification of the Candlepin CA certificate, which serves as the root of trust for certificate validation within the Katello environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file modification capabilities, as it fundamentally compromises the certificate trust model that underpins secure communication within Katello-managed systems. An attacker with local access can manipulate the Candlepin CA certificate to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, intercept encrypted communications, or establish unauthorized trust relationships with malicious entities. This compromise affects the integrity of the entire certificate infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls, impersonate legitimate services, or decrypt sensitive communications that rely on the certificate chain for validation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Katello is used for managing software repositories and content distribution, as it can lead to supply chain compromise and unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-732, which addresses incorrect permission assignment for critical resources, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for unsecured credentials and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations utilizing Katello systems should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to version 1.3.3.pulpv2 or later, which addresses the permission configuration issue, and manually correcting the file permissions on existing systems to restrict write access to privileged accounts only. Additionally, implementing proper monitoring and alerting for unauthorized certificate modifications, conducting regular security audits of file permissions, and ensuring adherence to security baseline configurations are recommended defensive measures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper permission management in security-critical infrastructure components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of configuration management tools that handle sensitive cryptographic materials.