CVE-2013-4962 in Puppet
Summary
by MITRE
The reset password page in Puppet Enterprise before 3.0.1 does not force entry of the current password, which allows attackers to modify user passwords by leveraging session hijacking, an unattended workstation, or other vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4962 affects Puppet Enterprise versions prior to 3.0.1 and specifically targets the password reset functionality within the web interface. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the platform, as it permits unauthorized password modifications without proper verification of the existing password. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and authentication checks during the password reset process, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the design flaw where the reset password page fails to require users to provide their current password before allowing them to set a new one. This omission creates a fundamental security gap that directly violates established security principles for password management and user authentication. The flaw operates under the assumption that any authenticated session or access vector can be leveraged to modify user credentials without proper verification, effectively bypassing the principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-602, which addresses client-side enforcement of server-side security checks, and represents a classic case of insufficient authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to gain persistent access to user accounts through session hijacking techniques, exploitation of unattended workstations, or other vector-based attacks. This weakness allows adversaries to maintain long-term access to the Puppet Enterprise environment, potentially compromising the entire infrastructure that relies on the platform for configuration management and automation. The vulnerability's exploitability is particularly concerning given that it can be leveraged through multiple attack vectors, including network-based session hijacking, physical access to unattended systems, and various social engineering approaches that could lead to unauthorized access. Attackers could systematically compromise user accounts across the Puppet Enterprise environment, potentially gaining access to critical infrastructure configurations and sensitive system information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Puppet Enterprise installations to version 3.0.1 or later, which includes the necessary security fixes for the password reset functionality. Organizations should also implement comprehensive session management policies, including automatic session timeout mechanisms, strong session token generation, and monitoring for suspicious authentication activities. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of the Puppet Enterprise interface to trusted networks only, while implementing multi-factor authentication for privileged access. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators and users should emphasize the importance of securing workstations and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The remediation process should also include thorough audit of existing user accounts and implementation of proper password policies that enforce complexity requirements and regular password changes to minimize potential damage from any successful exploitation attempts.