CVE-2014-0087 in CloudForms Management Engine
Summary
by MITRE
The check_privileges method in vmdb/app/controllers/application_controller.rb in ManageIQ, as used in Red Hat CloudForms Management Engine (CFME), allows remote authenticated users to bypass authorization and gain privileges by leveraging improper RBAC checking, related to the rbac_user_edit action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0087 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within the ManageIQ platform, specifically affecting Red Hat CloudForms Management Engine versions prior to 5.1. This issue stems from inadequate role-based access control (RBAC) validation within the application's core controller logic. The vulnerability exists in the check_privileges method located in vmdb/app/controllers/application_controller.rb, which fails to properly enforce access controls when processing the rbac_user_edit action. This flaw enables authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions that should be restricted to authorized personnel only.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the RBAC checking mechanism during user privilege modification operations. When an authenticated user attempts to perform actions related to user management through the rbac_user_edit endpoint, the system's privilege validation logic does not adequately verify whether the requesting user possesses sufficient authorization levels to perform the requested operations. This improper validation creates a path where attackers can bypass normal access restrictions and assume elevated privileges within the management interface. The flaw specifically impacts the authorization enforcement mechanism rather than authentication, meaning that while users must be authenticated to exploit this vulnerability, they can leverage their existing credentials to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential full system compromise and data exposure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to sensitive administrative functions within the CloudForms Management Engine, potentially allowing them to modify user accounts, access restricted system configurations, and manipulate the underlying virtual infrastructure management capabilities. This authorization bypass could enable attackers to establish persistent access to the management platform, create backdoor accounts, or modify system settings that could compromise the integrity and availability of the entire virtualization environment. The vulnerability directly impacts the platform's security posture and could lead to unauthorized access to critical infrastructure management functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems to the latest versions of Red Hat CloudForms Management Engine that contain the necessary RBAC fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control reviews and ensure that all user accounts maintain appropriate privilege levels based on the principle of least privilege. Network segmentation and monitoring of administrative access attempts can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 which specifically addresses improper authorization in software systems, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts for privilege escalation. Security teams should also consider implementing additional authentication controls and regular privilege audits to prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions. Organizations using older versions of the platform should prioritize upgrading to patched releases to eliminate this risk vector and maintain compliance with security best practices for virtual infrastructure management systems.