CVE-2013-1640 in Puppet
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) template and (2) inline_template functions in the master server in Puppet before 2.6.18, 2.7.x before 2.7.21, and 3.1.x before 3.1.1, and Puppet Enterprise before 1.2.7 and 2.7.x before 2.7.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a crafted catalog request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1640 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting Puppet configuration management systems across multiple version branches. This vulnerability specifically impacts the master server component of Puppet, which serves as the central authority for managing configuration catalogs and distributing policies to managed nodes. The flaw exists within the template processing functionality of the Puppet master server, where the template and inline_template functions fail to properly validate and sanitize input parameters. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious catalog requests that leverage the template processing engine to execute arbitrary code on the Puppet master server with the privileges of the running service. The vulnerability affects Puppet versions prior to 2.6.18, 2.7.21, and 3.1.1, as well as Puppet Enterprise versions before 1.2.7 and 2.7.2, indicating a widespread impact across multiple release lines.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of template parameters within catalog requests that are sent to the Puppet master server. When the master processes these requests, the template functions fail to properly isolate user-supplied input from the execution context, creating a path for code injection attacks. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the template processing pipeline, allowing attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed during template rendering. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and falls under the broader category of injection vulnerabilities. The attack vector requires authentication, meaning that only authenticated users with valid Puppet credentials can exploit this vulnerability, but the impact remains severe as it allows for complete compromise of the Puppet master server.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1640 is substantial, as the Puppet master server serves as a critical component in enterprise infrastructure management. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Puppet master process, which typically runs with elevated permissions to manage system configurations. This compromise can lead to complete system takeover, enabling attackers to access sensitive configuration data, modify system policies, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the entire Puppet infrastructure, as attackers could modify or delete configuration catalogs, disrupt service delivery, or establish persistent backdoors. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Puppet masters are often centrally located and maintain access to extensive configuration data across multiple managed nodes, making the compromise of a single master server potentially devastating to organizational security posture.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with the immediate upgrade to patched versions of Puppet software. The affected versions should be upgraded to Puppet 2.6.18, 2.7.21, 3.1.1, or the corresponding Puppet Enterprise releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit access to the Puppet master server, ensuring that only authorized administrators can submit catalog requests. Additional mitigations include implementing strict input validation at the network perimeter, monitoring for suspicious catalog request patterns, and establishing robust logging and audit trails for Puppet master activities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential harvesting, as attackers could leverage the compromised Puppet master to gain further access to the broader infrastructure. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk for maintaining the integrity of configuration management processes, as it could allow attackers to manipulate configuration data and potentially establish persistent access points within the organization's infrastructure.