CVE-2013-1068 in Ubuntu Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The OpenStack Nova (python-nova) package 1:2013.2.3-0 before 1:2013.2.3-0ubuntu1.2 and 1:2014.1-0 before 1:2014.1-0ubuntu1.2 and Openstack Cinder (python-cinder) package 1:2013.2.3-0 before 1:2013.2.3-0ubuntu1.1 and 1:2014.1-0 before 1:2014.1-0ubuntu1.1 for Ubuntu 13.10 and 14.04 LTS does not properly set the sudo configuration, which makes it easier for attackers to gain privileges by leveraging another vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1068 affects OpenStack Nova and Cinder components within Ubuntu 13.10 and 14.04 LTS environments, representing a critical privilege escalation weakness that stems from improper sudo configuration settings. This flaw exists in specific package versions where the sudoers configuration fails to properly restrict access permissions, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit existing vulnerabilities and elevate their privileges within the cloud infrastructure. The issue specifically impacts the python-nova and python-cinder packages, which are fundamental components of OpenStack's compute and block storage services respectively, making it particularly dangerous in cloud computing environments where these services are extensively utilized.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate sudoers file configuration that allows unauthorized users to execute privileged commands without proper authentication mechanisms. When OpenStack Nova and Cinder services are deployed with these vulnerable package versions, the sudo configuration does not properly isolate the execution contexts of different user roles, enabling attackers who have already gained some level of access to potentially escalate their privileges through command execution. This weakness operates under the broader category of privilege escalation vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-276, which specifically addresses improper permissions and access control settings. The vulnerability creates a dangerous scenario where an attacker can leverage an existing foothold in the system to gain administrative privileges, effectively undermining the security model of the cloud infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1068 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it significantly weakens the overall security posture of OpenStack deployments and creates opportunities for further exploitation within cloud environments. Organizations running vulnerable OpenStack instances face substantial risks including unauthorized data access, potential system compromise, and the ability for attackers to manipulate cloud resources and storage volumes. The vulnerability particularly affects cloud service providers and enterprises that rely on OpenStack for their infrastructure as a service offerings, as it can enable attackers to gain control over virtual machines, storage volumes, and potentially the entire cloud environment. This weakness is especially concerning in multi-tenant cloud deployments where proper isolation between different users and projects is critical for maintaining security boundaries.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1068 primarily involve updating the affected packages to versions that properly address the sudo configuration issues, specifically targeting the Ubuntu 13.10 and 14.04 LTS releases. System administrators should immediately apply the security patches provided by Ubuntu, which include updated versions of python-nova and python-cinder packages that correct the sudoers configuration. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits of their OpenStack deployments to identify any other potential privilege escalation vulnerabilities and ensure that proper access controls are implemented across all cloud services. The remediation process should also include reviewing and strengthening sudoers configurations, implementing proper logging of sudo command executions, and ensuring that only authorized users have elevated privileges within the cloud infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper configuration management in cloud environments, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion.