CVE-2014-0071 in OpenStack
Summary
by MITRE
PackStack in Red Hat OpenStack 4.0 does not enforce the default security groups when deployed to Neutron, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and make unauthorized connections.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0071 affects PackStack version 4.0 in Red Hat OpenStack deployments where Neutron networking is utilized. This issue represents a critical failure in the security group enforcement mechanism that is fundamental to cloud network isolation. The flaw manifests when PackStack provisions OpenStack infrastructure with Neutron as the networking service, failing to properly implement the default security group policies that should restrict network access based on predefined rules. Security groups in OpenStack function as virtual firewalls that control inbound and outbound traffic to instances, and their proper enforcement is essential for maintaining network security boundaries.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper configuration handling within PackStack's deployment process when integrating with Neutron networking. When PackStack deploys OpenStack with Neutron, it should automatically enforce default security groups that include rules limiting access to specific ports and protocols while maintaining the principle of least privilege. However, due to the flaw in PackStack version 4.0, these default security group configurations are not properly applied to Neutron networks, leaving instances exposed to unauthorized network connections. This represents a direct violation of the security principle that network access should be explicitly permitted rather than implicitly allowed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it creates a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers. Attackers can leverage this flaw to bypass intended network access controls and establish unauthorized connections to instances within the OpenStack environment. This could potentially allow for lateral movement within the cloud infrastructure, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent access points. The vulnerability affects the core networking security model of OpenStack deployments, undermining the trust model that cloud users rely upon when provisioning resources. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact method for gaining unauthorized access to cloud resources that would otherwise be protected by proper security group enforcement.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from administrators and system operators. The primary solution involves updating PackStack to a version that properly enforces default security groups when deploying with Neutron networking. Organizations should also implement manual verification procedures to ensure that security groups are correctly configured in their Neutron deployments. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and additional monitoring controls can help detect unauthorized network connections that may result from this vulnerability. This issue aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1566 for credential harvesting through network access. Regular security audits and configuration management practices should be enhanced to prevent similar issues in automated deployment processes, ensuring that default security policies are consistently applied across all cloud infrastructure components.