CVE-2013-0212 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
store/swift.py in OpenStack Glance Essex (2012.1), Folsom (2012.2) before 2012.2.3, and Grizzly, when in Swift single tenant mode, logs the Swift endpoint s user name and password in cleartext when the endpoint is misconfigured or unusable, allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information by reading the error messages.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0212 affects OpenStack Glance versions released under the Essex, Folsom, and Grizzly release cycles, specifically exposing sensitive authentication credentials through improper error handling mechanisms. This flaw exists within the store/swift.py component of the Glance image service, which serves as the core storage backend for managing virtual machine images within OpenStack environments. The vulnerability manifests when Glance operates in Swift single tenant mode, a configuration commonly used in cloud deployments where the image service integrates with OpenStack Swift for object storage. When the Swift endpoint becomes misconfigured or inaccessible, the system fails to sanitize authentication information before logging error messages, resulting in the exposure of cleartext credentials in log files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling practices within the Glance Swift store module. When communication with the Swift endpoint fails due to misconfiguration or network issues, the system generates error messages that inadvertently include the Swift user name and password in their content. These credentials are transmitted without any form of obfuscation or sanitization, making them immediately accessible to any entity with read access to the Glance log files. The flaw represents a classic case of information exposure through improper error handling, which aligns with CWE-209, "Information Exposure Through an Error Message," and CWE-532, "Information Exposure Through Log Data." The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the authentication credentials used to access the Swift storage backend, potentially allowing unauthorized access to the entire image repository and associated virtual machine images stored within the cloud environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of OpenStack deployments relying on Swift storage integration. Remote authenticated users who can access Glance log files gain access to valid authentication credentials that can be used to access the Swift storage system directly, potentially leading to unauthorized image manipulation, data exfiltration, or even privilege escalation within the cloud infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations that have configured Glance in Swift single tenant mode, which represents a common deployment pattern in many enterprise cloud environments where centralized storage management is required. Given that the credentials are logged in cleartext, the attack surface is significantly expanded as any user with access to the log files can extract these sensitive details without requiring additional exploitation techniques. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1562.001, "Taint Data" and T1562.003, "Impair Command History Logging," as the compromised credentials can be used to maintain persistence and evade detection within the compromised environment.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to address the credential exposure risk. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to patched versions of OpenStack Glance where the error handling has been corrected to sanitize authentication information before logging. System administrators should also implement strict access controls on Glance log files, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access these sensitive logs. Additional mitigations include implementing centralized logging solutions with proper log sanitization capabilities, monitoring for unauthorized access to log files, and conducting regular security audits of cloud storage configurations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in cloud infrastructure components, particularly regarding error handling and information disclosure prevention. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential unauthorized access attempts to storage backends. Regular security training for cloud administrators on secure configuration practices and proper error handling implementation is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the cloud infrastructure stack.