CVE-2013-1655 in Puppet
Summary
by MITRE
Puppet 2.7.x before 2.7.21 and 3.1.x before 3.1.1, when running Ruby 1.9.3 or later, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to "serialized attributes."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1655 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting Puppet configuration management software. This issue specifically impacts versions 2.7.x prior to 2.7.21 and 3.1.x prior to 3.1.1, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on Puppet for infrastructure automation. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of serialized attributes within Puppet's architecture, particularly when operating under Ruby 1.9.3 or later runtime environments. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious code through crafted serialized data structures that are processed by the Puppet daemon, potentially allowing full system compromise.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insecure deserialization practices within Puppet's attribute handling mechanisms. When Puppet processes serialized data containing malicious payloads, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before executing the deserialization process. This insecure deserialization pattern aligns with common CWE categories related to improper input validation and unsafe object instantiation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the Ruby serialization mechanism to execute arbitrary code on the target system, bypassing normal access controls and authentication mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially formatted serialized attributes that, when processed by the vulnerable Puppet daemon, trigger the execution of malicious code with the privileges of the Puppet service account.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1655 extends far beyond simple code execution, potentially leading to complete system compromise and lateral movement within network environments. Organizations using Puppet for configuration management face severe risks including data breaches, system hijacking, and unauthorized access to sensitive infrastructure components. The vulnerability affects Puppet's master-agent architecture where the master server processes agent requests and manages configuration data, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain persistent access to critical infrastructure. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter, potentially enabling attacks against systems that are otherwise protected by firewalls and network segmentation controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1655 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Puppet installations to versions 2.7.21 or 3.1.1 and later. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Puppet master servers to untrusted networks while ensuring that only authorized systems can communicate with the Puppet infrastructure. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in Puppet agent communications and serialization activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in systems that handle serialized data from external sources. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their configuration management infrastructure. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping configuration management tools updated and implementing proper security controls around these essential infrastructure components. The flaw highlights the need for comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code reviews to identify insecure deserialization patterns that could lead to similar vulnerabilities in other systems.