CVE-2013-2297 in EuStore
Summary
by MITRE
Eucalyptus EuStore sets a blank root password in the default configuration of EMI 3868652036, EMI 0400376721, EMI 2425352071, and EMI 1347115203, which allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors, a related issue to CVE-2013-2069.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-2297 represents a critical security flaw within the Eucalyptus EuStore virtualization platform, specifically affecting certain EMI (Eucalyptus Machine Images) configurations. This issue stems from the default configuration of four specific EMI images where the root password is set to a blank value, creating an inherent security weakness that can be exploited by local attackers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it directly enables privilege escalation through unspecified vectors, making it a significant concern for cloud infrastructure security.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper initialization of system credentials within the virtual machine images, where the root account lacks any password protection. This configuration creates an attack surface that allows local users to gain administrative privileges without authentication, as the absence of a root password eliminates any barrier to accessing the most privileged system account. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a classic example of insecure default configurations that can be exploited to compromise system integrity. The relationship to CVE-2013-2069 indicates this is part of a broader class of issues affecting Eucalyptus virtualization environments where default settings fail to provide adequate security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of virtualized environments that rely on these EMI images. Local users with access to the system can exploit this weakness to gain complete administrative control, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability affects multiple EMI configurations, amplifying its potential impact across various deployment scenarios. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact vector that can be exploited without requiring specialized tools or advanced technical knowledge, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where such default configurations might be deployed without proper security review.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2297 must address both immediate remediation and long-term configuration management practices. Organizations should immediately update affected EMI images to versions that properly configure root passwords or disable the root account entirely. The implementation of proper access control mechanisms, including mandatory password policies and account lockout procedures, should be enforced across all virtual machine deployments. Security monitoring systems should be configured to detect unauthorized access attempts to privileged accounts, while regular security audits should verify that default configurations have been properly hardened. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and credential access, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls that prevent unauthorized access to administrative accounts. Organizations should also implement configuration management practices that automatically detect and remediate insecure default settings, reducing the risk of similar vulnerabilities in other system components.