CVE-2013-4967 in Puppet
Summary
by MITRE
Puppet Enterprise before 3.0.1 allows remote attackers to obtain the database password via vectors related to how the password is "seeded as a console parameter," External Node Classifiers, and the lack of access control for /nodes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-4967 affects Puppet Enterprise versions prior to 3.0.1 and represents a critical security flaw that exposes database credentials to remote attackers. This issue stems from improper handling of database password configuration during the system initialization process, specifically when the password is "seeded as a console parameter" during the installation or configuration phase. The vulnerability creates a dangerous scenario where sensitive authentication information becomes accessible through multiple attack vectors that should normally be protected.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the improper seeding of database passwords through console parameters that are not adequately secured or validated. When Puppet Enterprise processes the initial configuration, it stores the database password in a manner that makes it accessible through external node classifiers and lacks proper access controls for the /nodes endpoint. This design flaw allows attackers to exploit the system's configuration management interface to extract sensitive information that should remain protected within the system's internal security boundaries. The vulnerability specifically targets the way Puppet Enterprise handles credential distribution and access control mechanisms during its operational lifecycle.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-4967 is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with direct access to the database credentials that govern the entire Puppet infrastructure. This access could enable attackers to perform unauthorized database operations, modify configuration data, or escalate their privileges within the Puppet Enterprise environment. The lack of access control for the /nodes endpoint creates a particularly dangerous attack surface since this endpoint typically contains node information and configuration details that are crucial for system management. The vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security model of Puppet Enterprise by exposing authentication credentials that should remain protected within the system's secure configuration management framework.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-255, which addresses issues related to credentials management and authentication flaws, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a credential access technique where adversaries exploit weak credential handling to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system components. Organizations running affected Puppet Enterprise versions face significant risk of compromise, as the vulnerability allows for complete database access without requiring additional exploitation steps. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it involves components that are typically considered trusted within the Puppet infrastructure, making detection and prevention more challenging for security teams.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediately upgrading to Puppet Enterprise version 3.0.1 or later, which addresses the credential handling issues through proper access controls and secure parameter management. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including network segmentation to limit access to Puppet console interfaces, regular monitoring of access logs for suspicious activity, and implementation of multi-factor authentication for administrative access. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have occurred before the patch was applied, and consider implementing additional database access controls and audit mechanisms to prevent future incidents of this nature.