CVE-2014-0201 in rhevm-reports
Summary
by MITRE
ovirt-engine-reports, as used in the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization reports package (rhevm-reports) before 3.3.3, uses world-readable permissions on configuration files, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading the files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0201 affects the ovirt-engine-reports component within Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization reports package, specifically versions prior to 3.3.3. This issue represents a critical configuration flaw that undermines the security posture of virtualization environments by exposing sensitive data through improper file permissions. The vulnerability resides in how the system handles permission settings for configuration files, creating an avenue for unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical flaw manifests through the use of world-readable permissions on configuration files that contain sensitive information. When files are configured with permissions allowing read access to all users on the system, local attackers can directly access and extract confidential data without requiring elevated privileges or authentication. This misconfiguration allows any user account on the system to read these files, potentially exposing credentials, system configurations, or other sensitive operational data that should remain restricted to authorized administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable intelligence that could facilitate further exploitation. Local users who gain access to these configuration files can obtain details about system architecture, database connection parameters, authentication mechanisms, and other operational elements that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the virtualization environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise settings where multiple users share systems and proper access controls are essential for maintaining security boundaries.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-732, which describes improper permission assignment, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for data from local system. The weakness creates an environment where attackers can bypass normal access controls through simple file system enumeration and reading. Organizations should implement proper file permission controls, ensuring that sensitive configuration files are only accessible to authorized system administrators and relevant service accounts. The remediation involves updating to version 3.3.3 or later of the rhevm-reports package, which properly enforces restricted file permissions and prevents unauthorized access to sensitive information through the file system.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper access control implementation in virtualization management systems. Configuration management and file permission enforcement are fundamental security practices that, when neglected, can create significant risks in enterprise environments. This particular flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration errors can have substantial security consequences, particularly when dealing with management interfaces that handle sensitive operational data. Organizations should conduct regular audits of file permissions and access controls to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of their virtualization infrastructure.