CVE-2013-0326 in OpenStack Nova
Summary
by MITRE
OpenStack nova base images permissions are world readable
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-0326 represents a critical configuration flaw within OpenStack Nova's base image handling mechanisms that exposes sensitive system data to unauthorized access. This issue affects the foundational components of OpenStack's cloud infrastructure management system, where base images serve as the building blocks for virtual machine deployments across cloud environments. The flaw specifically manifests in the improper permission settings applied to base images stored within the Nova service, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to system resources and potentially escalate privileges within the cloud infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from Nova's default configuration where base images are created with world-readable permissions, typically set to 0644 or similar permissive modes. This configuration allows any user account on the system to read the base image files, which may contain sensitive information such as system configurations, default passwords, or other system artifacts that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The flaw operates at the file system level where Nova's image management processes fail to properly enforce restrictive access controls on base image files, creating a persistent security weakness that affects all instances where Nova manages virtual machine images. This issue directly relates to CWE-732, which addresses improper permission assignment where a system component is granted more access than necessary, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for data from local system, as attackers can harvest sensitive data from these improperly secured files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential attack vectors for privilege escalation and lateral movement within cloud environments. When base images contain system credentials, configuration files, or other sensitive artifacts that are world-readable, attackers can extract this information to craft more sophisticated attacks against the cloud infrastructure. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments where multiple users share the same physical infrastructure, as it allows one user to potentially access and exploit data belonging to other users. Organizations using OpenStack Nova deployments may experience significant security implications including unauthorized access to virtual machine configurations, potential credential theft, and increased attack surface for more complex exploitation techniques that leverage the information gathered from these accessible base images.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0326 require immediate implementation of proper file system permissions on base images within Nova deployments. System administrators should ensure that base images are created with restrictive permissions such as 0600 or 0640, preventing world-read access while maintaining necessary operational functionality. The recommended approach involves configuring Nova's image management processes to automatically enforce secure permission settings during image creation and storage operations. Organizations should also implement regular security audits to verify that base image permissions remain properly configured and monitor for any unauthorized changes to image file permissions. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular permission reviews can help prevent similar issues from occurring in other system components. The solution should include automated checks within the Nova service to validate image permissions during deployment operations and alert administrators to any configuration deviations that could compromise system security.