CVE-2013-4111 in openSUSE
Summary
by MITRE
The Python client library for Glance (python-glanceclient) before 0.10.0 does not properly check the preverify_ok value, which prevents the server hostname from being verified with a domain name in the subject s Common Name (CN) or subjectAltName field of the X.509 certificate and allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof SSL servers via an arbitrary valid certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4111 affects the python-glanceclient library version 0.10.0 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in the OpenStack Glance image service client implementation. This issue stems from inadequate SSL certificate validation mechanisms within the Python client library, specifically failing to properly evaluate the preverify_ok parameter during SSL handshake operations. The flaw creates a significant security risk by allowing attackers to bypass hostname verification checks that are essential for establishing secure communication channels between clients and servers. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of SSL/TLS connections, undermining the fundamental security guarantees that cryptographic protocols are designed to provide.
The technical implementation flaw resides in how the library processes X.509 certificate validation during SSL connections to Glance services. When establishing secure connections, the client should verify that the server certificate contains a valid hostname match in either the Common Name field or subjectAltName extension of the certificate. However, the vulnerable version fails to properly assess the preverify_ok value, which indicates whether the certificate verification process has completed successfully. This omission allows attackers to present any valid certificate, regardless of whether it matches the target server's hostname, effectively enabling man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability operates at the SSL/TLS layer and specifically targets the certificate validation process, making it particularly dangerous for cloud infrastructure deployments where secure communication is paramount.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables sophisticated attack vectors that can compromise entire cloud environments. An attacker positioned in the network path between the client and Glance server can intercept and modify communications without detection, potentially gaining access to sensitive image data, authentication credentials, or control commands. This weakness undermines the trust model of cloud deployments, where secure communication channels are essential for protecting against unauthorized access and data breaches. The vulnerability affects organizations using OpenStack deployments where python-glanceclient is employed for managing virtual machine images, potentially exposing them to credential theft, data manipulation, or service disruption attacks that could have cascading effects throughout the cloud infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to python-glanceclient version 0.10.0 or later, which contains the necessary certificate validation fixes. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as certificate pinning, enhanced monitoring of SSL/TLS connections, and regular security assessments of cloud infrastructure components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in secure communications. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and defense evasion, as attackers can leverage the compromised communication channel to maintain persistence and access sensitive system resources. Organizations should also consider implementing certificate transparency measures and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of their cloud infrastructure stack.