CVE-2014-5038 in Eucalyptus
Summary
by MITRE
Eucalyptus 3.0.0 through 4.0.1, when the log level is set to DEBUG or lower, logs user and system passwords, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading the cloud log files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2019
Eucalyptus cloud computing platform versions 3.0.0 through 4.0.1 contain a critical logging vulnerability that exposes sensitive authentication credentials when the system operates with DEBUG or lower log levels. This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw that directly violates fundamental information security principles by inadvertently storing plaintext passwords in accessible log files. The flaw occurs because the logging mechanism does not properly sanitize or filter sensitive data before writing it to log files, creating an information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited by local attackers with read access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output sanitization within the logging subsystem of the Eucalyptus cloud infrastructure. When log levels are configured to DEBUG or lower, the system indiscriminately records all incoming requests and responses, including authentication tokens, API keys, and password credentials without any form of redaction or encryption. This behavior creates a persistent security risk where any local user with file system read privileges can access these log files and extract sensitive information. The vulnerability manifests as a direct violation of the principle of least privilege, as it allows unauthorized access to authentication credentials that should remain protected within secure memory structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of cloud infrastructure operations. Local attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to cloud resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized resource consumption. The vulnerability affects both user credentials and system-level authentication mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous for cloud environments where multiple users and services interact with the platform. This type of information disclosure vulnerability is classified under CWE-209, which specifically addresses improper error handling that can reveal sensitive information, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for data from local system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of several security controls and configuration changes. Organizations should immediately disable DEBUG logging levels for production environments and implement proper log sanitization procedures that filter out sensitive data before writing to log files. The recommended approach involves configuring the logging subsystem to redact or mask authentication credentials, API keys, and other sensitive information during log generation. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper file access controls and permissions on log directories to limit local user access to these files. The solution should also include regular log file auditing and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, as well as implementing centralized logging solutions that can provide better control over log data retention and access. Organizations should also consider implementing automated log analysis tools that can detect and alert on potential credential exposure events, while maintaining compliance with security standards such as NIST SP 800-92 for log management and ISO 27001 for information security controls.