CVE-2012-6117 in CloudForms Cloud Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Aeolus Configuration Server, as used in Red Hat CloudForms Cloud Engine before 1.1.2, uses world-readable permissions for /var/log/aeolus-configserver/configserver.log, which allows local users to read plaintext passwords by reading the log file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6117 affects the Aeolus Configuration Server component within Red Hat CloudForms Cloud Engine versions prior to 1.1.2. This issue stems from improper file permission configuration that exposes sensitive authentication data to unauthorized local users. The affected system stores configuration server logs in the /var/log/aeolus-configserver/ directory with world-readable permissions, creating a significant security risk that undermines the confidentiality of authentication credentials.
The technical flaw manifests through the use of insecure default permissions for log files, specifically the configserver.log file. When system components write authentication information to log files without proper access controls, they inadvertently create attack vectors for local adversaries who can simply read the log file to obtain plaintext passwords. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor security hygiene in file system access control implementation. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation vector since local users can leverage the readable log file to extract sensitive information that would normally be protected through proper access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables local attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems that rely on the configuration server for authentication. The plaintext password extraction capability provides attackers with immediate access to privileged accounts and services that may have administrative capabilities within the cloud infrastructure. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-tenant environments where local access might be granted to untrusted users, as it allows for privilege escalation and potential lateral movement within the system. The exposure of authentication credentials through log files represents a critical failure in the defense-in-depth strategy that should protect sensitive information at multiple levels.
Organizations should immediately implement proper file permission controls to restrict access to configuration log files, ensuring that only authorized system processes and administrators can read sensitive log data. The recommended remediation includes setting appropriate file permissions using chmod commands to restrict access to the log directory and its contents, typically limiting access to root user or specific administrative groups only. Additionally, system administrators should implement log rotation policies that include secure deletion of old log entries and consider implementing centralized logging solutions that properly handle sensitive data through encryption and access control mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-732, which addresses incorrect permission assignment, and represents a fundamental failure in access control implementation that should be addressed through proper security configuration management processes.
The broader implications of this vulnerability demonstrate the critical importance of secure configuration management in cloud infrastructure systems. Organizations implementing cloud solutions must ensure that all system components follow security best practices including proper file permissions, secure logging mechanisms, and regular security audits to identify and remediate similar issues. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security training for system administrators to prevent common misconfigurations that can lead to significant security breaches. Proper implementation of the principle of least privilege and secure default configurations should be enforced across all system components to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information through log file exposure.