CVE-2012-6137 in Enterprise Linux Server Aus
Summary
by MITRE
rhn-migrate-classic-to-rhsm tool in Red Hat subscription-manager does not verify the Red Hat Network Classic server s X.509 certificate when migrating to a Certificate-based Red Hat Network, which allows remote man-in-the-middle attackers to obtain sensitive information such as user credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The CVE-2012-6137 vulnerability resides within the rhn-migrate-classic-to-rhsm tool component of Red Hat subscription-manager, a critical system administration utility designed to facilitate migration from Red Hat Network Classic to the newer Certificate-based Red Hat Network infrastructure. This tool operates as a bridge between legacy and modern subscription management systems, handling the transition process for organizations managing their software subscriptions through Red Hat's platforms. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification mechanism during this migration process, creating a significant security gap that undermines the integrity of the entire subscription management workflow.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure in the X.509 certificate verification process within the migration tool's communication stack. When the rhn-migrate-classic-to-rhsm tool establishes connections to the target Certificate-based Red Hat Network server, it neglects to validate the server's X.509 certificate against trusted certificate authorities. This omission creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where malicious actors positioned between the client and server can intercept communications without detection. The vulnerability stems from improper implementation of SSL/TLS certificate validation routines, which should normally ensure that the communicating party is indeed the legitimate Red Hat server and not an impostor.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it compromises the entire security posture of organizations relying on Red Hat subscription management. Attackers exploiting this weakness can capture user credentials, subscription details, and potentially access to sensitive system information during the migration process. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and authentication integrity, allowing unauthorized parties to gain elevated access to subscription management systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs during a critical transition phase when organizations are already in a vulnerable state of system configuration, making it easier for attackers to exploit the situation while administrators focus on migration tasks.
Organizations affected by CVE-2012-6137 should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Red Hat subscription-manager, implementing additional network security controls such as network segmentation, and conducting thorough security audits of their subscription management processes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a clear violation of ATT&CK technique T1552.001, "Credentials from Password Stores," as it enables attackers to obtain credentials through network interception rather than traditional password cracking methods. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous certificate validation behavior and establish more robust certificate management policies for all system migration processes.