CVE-2014-3602 in OpenShift
Summary
by MITRE
Red Hat OpenShift Enterprise before 2.2 allows local users to obtain IP address and port number information for remote systems by reading /proc/net/tcp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2022
This vulnerability exists in Red Hat OpenShift Enterprise versions prior to 2.2 where local users can exploit the /proc/net/tcp file to extract sensitive network information about remote systems. The /proc/net/tcp virtual file contains information about all TCP connections established on the system, including local and remote IP addresses and port numbers. When local users have access to this file, they can read connection details that reveal network topology information. This represents a significant information disclosure vulnerability that violates the principle of least privilege and can be categorized under CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The flaw allows attackers to gather intelligence about network connections that may be used for further exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the default permissions and access controls within the OpenShift container platform. When users execute processes within containers or have shell access to the host system, they can read the /proc/net/tcp file without proper authorization checks. This file typically contains entries with local and remote addresses in the format local_address:local_port remote_address:remote_port, making it trivial for local users to extract information about remote services. The vulnerability demonstrates poor privilege separation between containerized applications and the underlying host system, creating an attack surface that should remain restricted to authorized system administrators. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which involves discovering system information through file and directory listings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable network intelligence that can be used for targeted attacks. An attacker who can read /proc/net/tcp information can identify which ports are open, what services are running, and potentially discover vulnerable applications or systems that are communicating with the host. This information can be leveraged for port scanning, service enumeration, and network reconnaissance activities that would otherwise be more difficult to perform. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in containerized environments where multiple applications may be running with different privilege levels, as it allows lower-privileged users to gain insights into higher-level network communications. This exposure can lead to more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, lateral movement, and service disruption. Organizations using OpenShift Enterprise should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to /proc/net/tcp files, implementing proper container isolation, and ensuring that only authorized administrators have access to such system information. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper access control mechanisms in container orchestration platforms and demonstrates how seemingly benign system information can be weaponized for network reconnaissance and exploitation.