CVE-2013-2068 in CloudForms Management Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in the AgentController in Red Hat CloudForms Management Engine 2.0 allow remote attackers to create and overwrite arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the filename parameter to the (1) log, (2) upload, or (3) linuxpkgs method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2068 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the AgentController component of Red Hat CloudForms Management Engine version 2.0. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied filename parameters. The flaw specifically affects three distinct methods within the AgentController interface: log, upload, and linuxpkgs operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that include .. (dot dot) sequences in the filename parameter, which allows them to manipulate the file system paths and gain unauthorized access to critical system resources. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in cloud environments where systems are exposed to external networks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw occurs when the application fails to adequately validate or sanitize input parameters before using them in file system operations. In the context of CloudForms Management Engine, the AgentController processes requests from remote clients and directly incorporates user-provided filename data into system calls without proper path validation. This allows attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy and potentially access or modify files outside of the intended directory structure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables both file creation and overwriting operations, providing attackers with the capability to inject malicious content or disrupt system operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2068 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can create arbitrary files in system directories, potentially installing backdoors or malicious code that persists across system reboots. The ability to overwrite existing files presents additional risks including the modification of critical system binaries, configuration files, or log data that could obscure malicious activities. In cloud management environments like Red Hat CloudForms, this vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate the underlying infrastructure management capabilities, potentially affecting multiple virtual machines or cloud resources managed through the platform. The remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or local network privileges to carry out these attacks, making the vulnerability particularly attractive for automated exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations should implement input validation controls that strictly filter or reject any filename parameters containing directory traversal sequences such as .. or similar path manipulation constructs. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the AgentController endpoints to trusted networks only. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that the AgentController operates with minimal required permissions and cannot write to critical system directories. Additionally, comprehensive logging and monitoring should be deployed to detect suspicious file system access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block known directory traversal attack patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the need for robust security testing practices, including the application of the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and persistence techniques to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in cloud management platforms.