CVE-2013-6439 in Subscription Asset Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Candlepin in Red Hat Subscription Asset Manager 1.0 through 1.3 uses a weak authentication scheme when the configuration file does not specify a scheme, which has unspecified impact and attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6439 affects Candlepin, the core subscription management component of Red Hat Subscription Asset Manager version 1.0 through 1.3. This flaw resides in the authentication mechanism implementation where the system defaults to a weak authentication scheme when no explicit authentication method is configured in the configuration file. The vulnerability stems from insufficient security controls during the initialization phase of the Candlepin service, creating a potential security risk that could be exploited by unauthorized actors. The unspecified impact and attack vectors indicate that the weakness could manifest in various ways depending on the deployment environment and system configuration.
The technical flaw represents a configuration management issue that falls under CWE-1001, specifically related to security-relevant configuration parameters. When the configuration file lacks explicit authentication scheme specifications, Candlepin defaults to a less secure authentication method, potentially allowing attackers to bypass stronger security controls that should be in place. This behavior creates a security boundary violation where the system fails to enforce proper authentication mechanisms, leaving the service vulnerable to credential theft, unauthorized access, and potential privilege escalation. The weakness is particularly concerning because it operates silently in the background without explicit user awareness, making detection and remediation more challenging.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access scenarios, potentially enabling attackers to gain control over subscription management functions within Red Hat environments. In enterprise settings where subscription asset management is critical for software licensing compliance and security posture, this weakness could allow adversaries to manipulate subscription data, create unauthorized subscriptions, or access restricted system information. The unspecified attack vectors suggest that this vulnerability could be exploited through multiple entry points including network-based attacks, local system compromises, or even social engineering approaches that might manipulate configuration files. Organizations relying on Red Hat Subscription Asset Manager for their subscription management processes face significant risk if this vulnerability remains unaddressed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-6439 should focus on explicit configuration management and security hardening of the Candlepin service. Organizations must ensure that all configuration files contain explicit authentication scheme specifications to prevent the system from falling back to weak default settings. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and defense in depth as outlined in NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Security administrators should implement mandatory configuration reviews and establish automated monitoring for proper authentication scheme enforcement. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security configuration management as referenced in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the configuration management category, where insecure default configurations represent a common attack surface that should be eliminated through proper hardening procedures and continuous security monitoring practices.