CVE-2013-4253 in OpenShift
Summary
by MITRE • 10/19/2022
The deployment script in the unsupported "OpenShift Extras" set of add-on scripts, in Red Hat Openshift 1, installs a default public key in the root user's authorized_keys file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4253 resides within the OpenShift Extras add-on scripts for Red Hat OpenShift 1, representing a critical security flaw in the platform's deployment automation processes. This issue stems from the improper handling of cryptographic keys during the installation phase of the platform's additional components. The vulnerability specifically affects the deployment script functionality that manages SSH key distribution for system administration purposes, creating a persistent security weakness that undermines the fundamental principles of secure system access control.
The technical flaw manifests when the unsupported OpenShift Extras deployment script executes and places a default public key into the root user's authorized_keys file without proper verification or customization. This default key configuration creates a known security risk where any attacker who can access the system or has knowledge of the predetermined key can gain unauthorized root access to the target system. The vulnerability directly violates security best practices by implementing a hardcoded cryptographic key that remains unchanged across deployments, eliminating the possibility of proper key rotation or unique key generation for each installation. This flaw represents a classic example of insecure default configuration and weak cryptographic implementation, aligning with CWE-798 which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials and CWE-310 which covers cryptographic issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, creating a significant risk to the entire OpenShift platform ecosystem. System administrators who deploy OpenShift 1 with the affected extras scripts inadvertently create a backdoor that remains persistent across system reboots and updates, as the key is embedded within the root user's SSH configuration. This weakness allows for privilege escalation attacks without requiring additional exploitation vectors, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments or production systems where unauthorized root access could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or service disruption. The vulnerability also undermines the trust model of the platform, as it creates a known weakness that attackers can exploit systematically across multiple deployments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4253 require immediate action to address the hardcoded key configuration issue. Organizations should first identify all systems running OpenShift 1 with the affected extras scripts and remove the default public key from the root user's authorized_keys file. The recommended approach involves generating new, unique SSH key pairs for each deployment and implementing proper key management procedures. System administrators must also ensure that the OpenShift Extras scripts are either updated to use dynamic key generation or completely removed from production environments. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure configuration management and proper key lifecycle management, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1552 which covers credentials in files and T1078 which addresses valid accounts. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring to detect unauthorized SSH access attempts and establish proper change management procedures to prevent similar issues in future deployments. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor components in complex systems can create significant security risks when not properly secured against default configurations and hardcoded values.