CVE-2014-0068 in Openshift node-utils
Summary
by MITRE • 07/01/2022
It was reported that watchman in openshift node-utils creates /var/run/watchman.pid and /var/log/watchman.ouput with world writable permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0068 represents a critical privilege escalation risk within the OpenShift node utilities ecosystem. This flaw specifically affects the watchman process which is integral to OpenShift's node management functionality. The issue stems from improper permission handling during the creation of system files and directories, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the system's security model. Watchman serves as a file monitoring utility that tracks changes to files and directories, making it a potentially valuable target for attackers seeking persistent access or system compromise.
The technical flaw manifests in the creation of two specific system artifacts with overly permissive permissions. The watchman process generates a PID file at /var/run/watchman.pid and a log output file at /var/log/watchman.output, both configured with world-writable permissions. This configuration allows any user on the system to modify or replace these files, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation. The root cause lies in the lack of proper permission enforcement during file creation, violating fundamental security principles of least privilege and secure by default configuration. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-732, which addresses Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resources, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers Exploitation for Privilege Escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file permission issues, as it provides attackers with multiple attack vectors for system compromise. An attacker with low privileges could replace the watchman PID file with a malicious symlink, potentially redirecting process management or executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The world-writable log output file creates another potential vector for log poisoning or privilege escalation attacks. In OpenShift environments, where node utilities operate with elevated privileges, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain root access or manipulate critical node operations. The exposure affects systems running OpenShift node utilities where watchman is actively deployed, particularly in containerized environments where proper privilege separation is essential. The impact is exacerbated in multi-tenant environments where isolation between users is crucial for security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0068 require immediate attention and systematic implementation across affected OpenShift deployments. The primary fix involves ensuring that watchman creates its PID and log files with appropriate permissions, typically restricting write access to the owning user or process. System administrators should verify that files are created with restrictive permissions such as 600 or 640, preventing world-writable access. The recommended approach includes implementing proper file creation procedures within the watchman utility, using umask settings, or explicitly setting file permissions during creation. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive audits of all system files and directories created by node utilities, applying the principle of least privilege to prevent similar issues. Additionally, implementing proper process isolation and privilege separation mechanisms can reduce the attack surface. Regular security scanning and monitoring for similar permission-related vulnerabilities should be integrated into the operational security posture. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper permission management in system utilities, particularly in containerized and cloud-native environments where security boundaries are more complex.