CVE-2014-0175 in MCollective
Summary
by MITRE
mcollective has a default password set at install
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0175 affects the mcollective framework, a distributed systems management tool that enables administrators to manage large numbers of systems through a centralized interface. This particular weakness stems from the software's installation process which automatically configures a default password, creating a significant security risk that persists unless explicitly addressed by system administrators. The issue represents a fundamental failure in secure configuration practices, where the system does not enforce strong authentication mechanisms during initial setup, leaving systems vulnerable to unauthorized access.
The technical flaw manifests in the default installation behavior of mcollective where pre-configured credentials are provided to allow immediate functionality without requiring administrator intervention. This default password configuration creates a persistent attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to the management infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a classic example of insecure default configurations that violate security best practices. The flaw essentially provides a backdoor that exists across all installations until manually changed, making it particularly dangerous in environments where immediate security hardening is not performed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to potentially compromise entire distributed management systems. Once an attacker gains access through the default password, they can execute arbitrary commands on managed nodes, modify system configurations, and potentially escalate privileges within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials, and can facilitate further lateral movement within networks where mcollective is deployed. The risk is compounded by the fact that many administrators may not be aware of this default credential configuration, particularly in large deployments where security auditing is insufficient.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0175 require immediate administrative action to change the default password configuration. System administrators must conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all mcollective installations and ensure that default credentials have been replaced with strong, unique passwords. The implementation of automated security scanning tools can help identify vulnerable systems, while mandatory security configuration policies should be established to prevent future installations from using default credentials. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security audits and credential management practices that align with NIST SP 800-53 control CM-7, which addresses system configuration and security parameter management. The vulnerability underscores the importance of principle of least privilege and proper access control implementation in distributed management frameworks.