CVE-2014-3486 in CloudForms 3.0 Management Engine
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) shell_exec function in lib/util/MiqSshUtilV1.rb and (2) temp_cmd_file function in lib/util/MiqSshUtilV2.rb in Red Hat CloudForms 3.0 Management Engine (CFME) before 5.2.4.2 allow local users to execute arbitrary commands via a symlink attack on a temporary file with a predictable name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3486 affects Red Hat CloudForms 3.0 Management Engine versions prior to 5.2.4.2, specifically targeting two critical functions within the MiqSshUtil library. This issue represents a classic race condition vulnerability that exploits predictable temporary file names to enable privilege escalation through symbolic link manipulation. The flaw exists in the shell_exec function located in lib/util/MiqSshUtilV1.rb and the temp_cmd_file function found in lib/util/MiqSshUtilV2.rb, both of which handle SSH-related operations within the CFME framework. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of temporary file creation processes, allowing local attackers to craft malicious symbolic links that the vulnerable functions will inadvertently execute.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a time-of-check to time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition where the system checks for the existence of a temporary file before using it, but the file's state can be altered between these checks. Attackers can create symbolic links with predictable names in the temporary directory, and when the vulnerable functions process these files, they execute commands with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-367, which specifically addresses Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use race conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploits. The attack requires local system access but can result in complete system compromise as the functions operate with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using affected CFME versions, as it provides a pathway for local attackers to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. This can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor establishment. The vulnerability affects the core management engine functionality and can potentially allow attackers to manipulate SSH operations, access sensitive configuration data, and escalate privileges to root level access. Organizations with multiple CFME instances or those using automated deployment scripts that rely on these functions are particularly at risk. The vulnerability also impacts compliance requirements as it can be exploited to bypass security controls and access restricted system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3486 include immediate patching to versions 5.2.4.2 or later, which address the race condition by implementing proper temporary file handling with unique naming schemes and atomic operations. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting write permissions to temporary directories, monitoring for suspicious symbolic link creation, and employing file integrity monitoring solutions. The fix typically involves modifying the vulnerable functions to use secure temporary file creation methods that prevent attackers from predicting or manipulating file paths. Organizations should also conduct security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement network segmentation to limit local access to affected systems. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper temporary file handling and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can result in critical security breaches, particularly in management and automation frameworks.