CVE-2014-0163 in openshift
Summary
by MITRE
Openshift has shell command injection flaws due to unsanitized data being passed into shell commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0163 represents a critical command injection flaw within the OpenShift platform that stems from inadequate input sanitization practices. This vulnerability specifically affects the shell command execution mechanisms employed by OpenShift's container orchestration and deployment systems, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into shell commands without proper validation or escaping. The flaw exists in the platform's handling of user inputs that are subsequently processed through shell execution contexts, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands that will be executed with the privileges of the affected system components.
This vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple security domains and can be classified under CWE-78 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The technical implementation flaw occurs when OpenShift's deployment or management interfaces accept user parameters that are then directly passed to shell commands through functions such as system(), exec(), or shell execution APIs. The absence of proper input validation, sanitization, or parameter escaping allows attackers to manipulate command execution flow by injecting shell metacharacters, operators, or command separators that alter the intended behavior of the underlying shell commands.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0163 is severe and multifaceted, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems with the privileges of the OpenShift service accounts. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within containerized environments. Attackers might leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify system configurations, access sensitive data stored in containers, or disrupt services provided by the OpenShift platform. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments where compromised containers could potentially affect other tenants or the underlying infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0163 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms throughout the OpenShift platform. Organizations should enforce strict parameter validation at all entry points where user data is processed, particularly in areas handling container deployment parameters, environment variables, and configuration settings. The implementation of proper command execution patterns that avoid shell injection vulnerabilities is essential, including the use of parameterized commands instead of direct shell execution where possible. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by running OpenShift components with minimal required permissions and implementing proper access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which covers command and scripting interpreter and represents a fundamental security weakness that requires comprehensive remediation across all system components handling user inputs.