CVE-2014-3563 in Salt
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in Salt (aka SaltStack) before 2014.1.10 allow local users to have an unspecified impact via vectors related to temporary file creation in (1) seed.py, (2) salt-ssh, or (3) salt-cloud.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3563 affects SaltStack, a configuration management and automation platform widely used in enterprise environments for managing infrastructure and applications. This issue represents a critical security flaw in the software's handling of temporary file operations across three key components of the Salt ecosystem. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 2014.1.10 and allows local users to potentially exploit unspecified impacts through improper temporary file creation processes. The affected modules include seed.py which handles initial system setup, salt-ssh for remote execution capabilities, and salt-cloud for cloud infrastructure management. These components are fundamental to Salt's operation and represent core attack surfaces where malicious local users could manipulate temporary files to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate temporary file handling mechanisms within the SaltStack framework, specifically in how the software creates and manages temporary files during initialization and execution processes. When Salt performs operations through seed.py, salt-ssh, or salt-cloud, it generates temporary files that may not be properly secured or isolated from potential attackers. This weakness creates opportunities for local privilege escalation attacks, file system manipulation, or information disclosure scenarios. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file creation practices, and represents a classic example of improper file handling that can lead to privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution. The unspecified nature of the impact suggests that the vulnerability could potentially enable various attack vectors including but not limited to local privilege escalation, denial of service, or data compromise depending on the specific system configuration and attack conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3563 extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as SaltStack is commonly deployed in critical infrastructure environments where compromised systems could lead to widespread security breaches. Organizations using Salt for configuration management, remote execution, or cloud infrastructure orchestration face significant risk from this vulnerability, particularly in environments where local user access is not properly restricted or monitored. The attack surface is particularly concerning because salt-ssh and salt-cloud components are frequently used in production environments for remote system administration and automated deployment processes, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access to network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution, as attackers could leverage compromised temporary files to execute malicious code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise and lateral movement within the network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3563 should prioritize immediate patching of affected SaltStack installations to version 2014.1.10 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the temporary file handling issues. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and monitoring for systems running SaltStack, particularly focusing on the seed.py, salt-ssh, and salt-cloud components where the vulnerabilities exist. Network segmentation and privilege separation practices should be enforced to limit the potential impact of local privilege escalation attacks. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all SaltStack installations to identify any custom configurations or third-party integrations that might exacerbate the vulnerability. The remediation process should include verification of temporary file permissions, implementation of proper file locking mechanisms, and regular security assessments to prevent similar issues in other components of the SaltStack ecosystem. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for suspicious temporary file creation patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.