CVE-2014-3632 in neutron
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration in a sudoers file in the Red Hat openstack-neutron package before 2014.1.2-4, as used in Red Hat Enterprise Linux Open Stack Platform 5.0 for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a crafted configuration file. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of a CVE-2013-6433 regression.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3632 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Red Hat openstack-neutron package ecosystem. This issue manifests through improper default configuration settings in sudoers files that are shipped with the affected software versions. The vulnerability specifically impacts Red Hat Enterprise Linux Open Stack Platform 5.0 deployments running on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 systems, creating a dangerous attack surface that allows remote adversaries to elevate their privileges without proper authentication mechanisms. The flaw emerged as a regression from CVE-2013-6433, indicating that previously resolved security measures were inadvertently re-introduced or improperly implemented in subsequent package versions, creating a dangerous cycle of security degradation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper configuration of sudoers file permissions and command execution restrictions within the openstack-neutron package. When the sudoers file contains overly permissive settings, it allows unauthorized users to execute commands with elevated privileges without proper authentication or authorization checks. This configuration error creates a path for remote attackers to exploit the sudo functionality and gain administrative access to the system. The vulnerability operates at the privilege escalation layer, where standard user accounts can potentially execute privileged operations through the compromised sudoers configuration, effectively bypassing normal access control mechanisms that should prevent such unauthorized elevation of privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3632 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of OpenStack environments deployed on affected Red Hat systems. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain root access to the underlying operating system, potentially compromising entire cloud infrastructures and all virtual machines hosted within those environments. The implications are particularly severe in cloud computing deployments where multiple tenants share the same physical infrastructure, as unauthorized access could lead to data breaches, service disruption, and complete compromise of the cloud platform. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to perform actions such as modifying system files, installing malicious software, or exfiltrating sensitive data from the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3632 require immediate patching of the affected openstack-neutron package to version 2014.1.2-4 or later, which addresses the problematic sudoers file configurations. Organizations should also conduct thorough audits of their sudoers file configurations to identify and correct any similar permissive settings that may exist in other system components. Security teams must implement monitoring controls to detect unauthorized sudo usage patterns and establish proper access control policies that align with the principle of least privilege. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of proper regression testing in security patches, as the issue stems from a re-introduction of previously fixed vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as privilege management systems, enhanced logging of sudo operations, and regular security assessments to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining secure default configurations and the potential consequences of failing to properly address security regressions in software updates. The issue aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper permissions and access control, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities to gain system privileges.