CVE-2014-0040 in OpenStack
Summary
by MITRE
OpenStack Heat Templates (heat-templates), as used in Red Hat Enterprise Linux OpenStack Platform 4.0, uses an HTTP connection to download (1) packages and (2) signing keys from Yum repositories, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to prevent updates via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0040 affects OpenStack Heat Templates component within the Red Hat Enterprise Linux OpenStack Platform 4.0 environment. This issue represents a critical security weakness in the package management and repository access mechanisms that govern how OpenStack deployments handle software updates and cryptographic key verification. The flaw specifically manifests in the heat-templates module's reliance on unencrypted HTTP connections when establishing communication with Yum repositories during the deployment process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the use of plain HTTP protocols for downloading both software packages and cryptographic signing keys from repository servers. This design decision exposes the system to man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors can intercept network traffic between the OpenStack deployment infrastructure and the Yum repositories. The vulnerability falls under CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols. Attackers exploiting this weakness can manipulate the download process to substitute legitimate packages with malicious counterparts or prevent critical security updates from being applied to the OpenStack environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple package delivery failures and represents a significant threat to the overall security posture of OpenStack deployments. When attackers successfully execute man-in-the-middle attacks against the HTTP connections used by heat-templates, they can potentially compromise the integrity of the entire deployment pipeline. This includes the possibility of injecting malicious code into deployed applications, bypassing security updates, or disrupting service availability. The vulnerability directly violates security best practices outlined in the NIST SP 800-53 security controls, particularly those related to secure communication and integrity verification. Organizations using Red Hat Enterprise Linux OpenStack Platform 4.0 face elevated risk of supply chain attacks and persistent security breaches that could compromise their cloud infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of secure communication protocols throughout the OpenStack deployment infrastructure. The most effective approach involves configuring heat-templates to utilize HTTPS connections instead of HTTP when accessing Yum repositories, thereby encrypting all data transmission between the deployment system and repository servers. Organizations should also implement certificate validation mechanisms to ensure the authenticity of repository servers and establish network monitoring protocols to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate man-in-the-middle activity. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining insecure HTTP connections within the deployment environment. The remediation process aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which focuses on application layer protocol usage, and specifically addresses the threat of credential access through network protocol manipulation. Organizations must also consider implementing network segmentation and firewall rules that restrict direct access to repository servers from deployment environments to minimize the attack surface and reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation.