CVE-2013-4958 in Puppet
Summary
by MITRE
Puppet Enterprise before 3.0.1 does not use a session timeout, which makes it easier for attackers to gain privileges by leveraging an unattended workstation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2022
Puppet Enterprise represents a widely deployed configuration management platform that automates the deployment and management of infrastructure across enterprise environments. The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-4958 specifically targets the authentication and session management mechanisms within Puppet Enterprise versions prior to 3.0.1. This weakness stems from the absence of proper session timeout functionality, creating a significant security gap that directly impacts the platform's ability to protect against unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability manifests when users leave their workstations unattended, allowing malicious actors to exploit the persistent session state without proper re-authentication.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability resides in the session management architecture of Puppet Enterprise, which fails to implement automatic session termination after a predetermined period of inactivity. This design oversight creates a persistent authentication context that remains valid even when users are no longer actively using the system. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration, and represents a critical weakness in the authentication flow that allows attackers to maintain elevated privileges indefinitely. The absence of session timeout mechanisms means that once a user authenticates successfully, their session remains active regardless of the time elapsed, creating an extended window of opportunity for unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader security implications within enterprise environments. Attackers can exploit this weakness by simply waiting for users to step away from their workstations, then leveraging the active session to perform administrative actions without requiring additional authentication credentials. This scenario particularly affects environments where Puppet Enterprise is used for critical infrastructure management, as the prolonged session validity allows for extended periods of unauthorized access. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1563.002, which covers credentials from password stores, as the persistent session effectively provides attackers with long-term access to privileged accounts. Organizations using Puppet Enterprise in production environments face increased risk of lateral movement and privilege abuse, especially in scenarios where workstations are left unattended for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of session timeout policies within Puppet Enterprise configurations. System administrators should configure automatic session expiration after a reasonable period of inactivity, typically ranging from 15 to 30 minutes of user inactivity. The recommended approach involves modifying the Puppet Enterprise configuration files to enforce session timeout settings, ensuring that all user sessions automatically terminate after the specified period of inactivity. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive security awareness training to educate users about the importance of locking their workstations when stepping away from their desks. Network-level controls such as automated session termination mechanisms and enhanced monitoring of session activity can further reduce the attack surface. The most effective remediation approach includes upgrading to Puppet Enterprise 3.0.1 or later versions where session timeout functionality has been properly implemented, along with establishing regular security audits to verify that session management policies are correctly enforced throughout the organization's infrastructure.