CVE-2013-1815 in Openstack Folsom
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in PackStack. This vulnerability allows a local user to modify deployed systems by changing the answer file, which is created in insecure directories such as /tmp or the current working directory. This insecure file creation could lead to unauthorized system modifications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1815 affects PackStack version 2012.2.3 distributed with Red Hat OpenStack Essex and Folsom releases. This issue represents a critical security flaw in the deployment automation tool that is widely used for OpenStack infrastructure setup. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of temporary file creation during the installation process, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by local attackers to compromise the deployed system.
The technical flaw manifests when PackStack generates answer files during the OpenStack deployment process. These answer files contain critical configuration parameters and deployment settings that guide the installation of various OpenStack components. The vulnerability occurs because PackStack creates these files in insecure temporary directories such as /tmp or the current working directory without proper access controls or file permissions. This insecure practice violates fundamental security principles and creates a race condition vulnerability where local users can manipulate the answer file before it is processed by the deployment system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Local attackers who can execute code on the system where PackStack is running can modify the answer file to inject malicious configuration parameters or alter existing settings. This manipulation can lead to unauthorized modification of OpenStack service configurations, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, gain unauthorized access to system resources, or compromise the integrity of the entire OpenStack deployment. The vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor mechanism for local users to influence the deployment process and potentially compromise the security posture of the cloud infrastructure.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file creation, and represents a classic example of improper privilege management in automated deployment tools. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through exploitation of insecure file permissions and temporary file handling. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can be leveraged to compromise the entire deployment process. Organizations using Red Hat OpenStack Essex or Folsom versions that include PackStack 2012.2.3 are at significant risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited by any local user with basic system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through patching the PackStack component to properly handle temporary file creation in secure directories. Organizations should implement proper file permissions and access controls for temporary directories, ensuring that answer files are created with restrictive permissions and in secure locations that are not writable by unprivileged users. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of all temporary file handling processes within their deployment automation tools and implement proper input validation and file integrity checks. The recommended approach includes updating to patched versions of PackStack and OpenStack releases, implementing proper file system permissions, and conducting security reviews of deployment automation scripts to prevent similar issues in other components of the infrastructure stack.