CVE-2013-2069 in livecd-tools
Summary
by MITRE
Red Hat livecd-tools before 13.4.4, 17.x before 17.17, 18.x before 18.16, and 19.x before 19.3, when a rootpw directive is not set in a Kickstart file, sets the root user password to empty, which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2069 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw in Red Hat livecd-tools software versions prior to specific patches. This issue affects multiple release branches including versions 13.4.4, 17.17, 18.16, and 19.3, where the software fails to properly handle authentication configuration when root passwords are not explicitly defined in Kickstart deployment files. The flaw stems from the software's default behavior of setting an empty root password when no rootpw directive is present, creating a significant security weakness that can be exploited by local attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the live CD creation process where the livecd-tools software generates system images for Red Hat Enterprise Linux deployments. When administrators fail to include a rootpw directive in their Kickstart configuration files, the software defaults to creating a system with an empty root password field. This configuration allows any local user to assume root privileges without authentication, effectively bypassing the entire privilege model that should protect system access controls. The flaw manifests as a failure to enforce proper authentication mechanisms, creating an implicit backdoor that exists in all generated live CD images until the affected versions are patched.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader system compromise potential. Local users who gain root access through this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code, modify system files, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent access to compromised systems. This weakness is particularly dangerous in environments where live CD images are distributed to untrusted users or deployed in scenarios where physical access to systems is possible. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-255, which addresses issues related to improper handling of authentication credentials, and represents a classic case of privilege escalation through weak default configurations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain complete system control without requiring network access or advanced exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected livecd-tools versions to ensure proper handling of root password configurations in Kickstart files. System administrators should verify that all Kickstart files explicitly define root passwords using the rootpw directive to prevent the default empty password behavior. Organizations should also implement configuration management controls to audit and validate Kickstart file contents before deployment. The remediation process should include updating to patched versions of livecd-tools, typically versions 13.4.4, 17.17, 18.16, and 19.3, which properly handle the absence of rootpw directives by either enforcing strong passwords or implementing appropriate security controls. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual root login patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability fits within ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation.