CVE-2013-1069 in Metal as a Service
Summary
by MITRE
Ubuntu Metal as a Service (MaaS) 1.2 and 1.4 uses world-readable permissions for txlongpoll.yaml, which allows local users to obtain RabbitMQ authentication credentials by reading the file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-1069 affects Ubuntu Metal as a Service versions 1.2 and 1.4, specifically targeting the file txlongpoll.yaml which contains critical authentication credentials for RabbitMQ messaging infrastructure. This issue represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where improper file permissions create an information disclosure risk that can be exploited by local users to gain unauthorized access to messaging services. The flaw stems from the system's failure to properly secure sensitive configuration files that store authentication tokens necessary for communication with RabbitMQ brokers. The txlongpoll.yaml file contains credentials that allow access to the messaging system used by MaaS for coordinating node management and orchestration tasks. When this file is accessible with world-readable permissions, any local user on the system can execute a simple read operation to extract the authentication information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a straightforward methodology where a local attacker can simply execute a read command against the file to extract the RabbitMQ credentials. This credential exposure creates a significant security risk as it allows unauthorized access to the messaging infrastructure that MaaS uses for inter-node communication, potentially enabling attackers to intercept messages, manipulate orchestration workflows, or gain elevated privileges within the MaaS environment. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which specifically addresses cases where system resources are assigned improper access controls that allow unauthorized users to access sensitive information. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability undermines the security model of the MaaS platform by creating a backdoor path for local users to access critical infrastructure components without proper authentication mechanisms.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft as it can enable attackers to manipulate the messaging infrastructure that underpins the entire MaaS orchestration system. An attacker with access to these credentials could potentially disrupt node communications, inject malicious messages into the system, or even escalate privileges by leveraging the RabbitMQ access to perform operations that should be restricted to authorized administrators. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where MaaS is deployed in multi-tenant scenarios or where local user access is not properly restricted, as it provides a path for privilege escalation from local user to system-level access through the messaging infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through credential access, specifically mapping to T1078.004: Valid Accounts - Cloud Accounts, where the compromised credentials can be used to gain access to the messaging system and potentially extend the attack surface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1069 should focus on immediate file permission correction and comprehensive access control review. System administrators must ensure that the txlongpoll.yaml file and similar sensitive configuration files are properly secured with restrictive permissions, typically requiring only the specific service account to read the file. The recommended approach involves setting appropriate file ownership and permissions using standard Unix file permission models where only the root user and specific service accounts have read access. Additionally, implementing regular security audits to identify and correct similar permission misconfigurations across the system helps prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring for file permission changes and access logs to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege and proper configuration management practices that are fundamental to secure system administration. Regular patch management and security hardening procedures should be implemented to prevent such misconfigurations from occurring in the first place, ensuring that all sensitive files are properly secured according to security best practices and industry standards.