CVE-2013-4497 in Havana
Summary
by MITRE
The XenAPI backend in OpenStack Compute (Nova) Folsom, Grizzly, and Havana before 2013.2 does not properly apply security groups (1) when resizing an image or (2) during live migration, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended restrictions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4497 represents a critical security flaw in OpenStack Compute (Nova) versions prior to 2013.2, specifically affecting the Folsom, Grizzly, and Havana release cycles. This issue resides within the XenAPI backend implementation where security groups fail to be properly enforced during two critical operational scenarios. The vulnerability stems from inadequate handling of network access controls during virtual machine lifecycle operations, creating a pathway for unauthorized network access that bypasses the intended security policies.
The technical implementation flaw occurs when Nova processes image resizing operations or live migration procedures. During these operations, the system should maintain consistent security group policies that define which network traffic is permitted or restricted for virtual machines. However, the XenAPI backend in affected versions fails to properly enforce these security group rules, allowing malicious actors to potentially access resources that should be restricted. This represents a direct violation of network segmentation principles and creates opportunities for lateral movement within cloud environments. The vulnerability specifically impacts the security group enforcement mechanism, which is a fundamental component of cloud security architecture and aligns with CWE-284 access control weaknesses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network access bypass, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of OpenStack deployments. Attackers can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to virtual machines during critical operations, potentially leading to data exfiltration, service disruption, or further compromise of the cloud infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core virtualization operations that are routinely performed in production environments, making it a high-value target for malicious actors. During live migration, virtual machines are moved between hosts while maintaining operation, creating a window where security policies should be consistently enforced but are not. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1046 network service scanning and T1566 credential access, as it enables unauthorized network reconnaissance and potential privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4497 require immediate patching of affected OpenStack Nova installations to versions 2013.2 or later where the security group enforcement has been properly implemented. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized network access patterns during migration and resizing operations. Network segmentation should be reinforced through multiple layers of security controls, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and continuous monitoring of virtual machine network traffic. Security groups should be validated through regular audits, and operational procedures should include mandatory security group verification steps during critical VM operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date cloud infrastructure and demonstrates the critical nature of security controls during virtual machine lifecycle management operations. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists and additional monitoring for anomalous migration patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.