CVE-2014-5251 in Keystone
Summary
by MITRE
The MySQL token driver in OpenStack Identity (Keystone) 2014.1.x before 2014.1.2.1 and Juno before Juno-3 stores timestamps with the incorrect precision, which causes the expiration comparison for tokens to fail and allows remote authenticated users to retain access via an expired token.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5251 affects the OpenStack Identity service known as Keystone, specifically within its MySQL token driver implementation. This issue manifests in OpenStack versions 2014.1.x prior to 2014.1.2.1 and the Juno release series before Juno-3, representing a critical flaw in the token management system that undermines the security model of the identity service. The root cause lies in the improper handling of timestamp precision within the MySQL database storage layer, creating a fundamental weakness that allows authenticated attackers to exploit token expiration mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from the MySQL token driver's inability to correctly store and compare timestamp values with appropriate precision. When tokens are generated and stored in the MySQL database, the timestamp information is recorded with insufficient precision, typically truncating or rounding timestamp values in ways that affect the comparison logic used during token validation. This precision issue creates a scenario where the system cannot accurately determine whether a token has expired, as the comparison between stored timestamps and current time values becomes unreliable. The vulnerability specifically impacts the token expiration validation process, where the system fails to properly recognize when tokens should be considered invalid due to their age.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for OpenStack deployments relying on Keystone for identity management. Remote authenticated users who possess expired tokens can continue to leverage these credentials for system access, effectively bypassing the intended token expiration mechanism. This represents a privilege escalation scenario where users maintain access beyond their authorized timeframes, potentially allowing for extended unauthorized access to cloud resources. The flaw undermines the fundamental security principle of time-based credential expiration, which is essential for maintaining proper access controls and preventing unauthorized prolonged system access. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to maintain persistent access to cloud environments, potentially leading to data breaches, resource misuse, and unauthorized administrative actions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5251 involve applying the patched versions of OpenStack Keystone that address the timestamp precision handling in the MySQL token driver. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Keystone versions 2014.1.2.1 or Juno-3 and later, which contain the necessary fixes to properly handle timestamp precision during token storage and comparison operations. Additionally, administrators should implement monitoring for token usage patterns and consider implementing additional access controls or audit mechanisms to detect unusual authentication activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-1104, which addresses improper handling of timestamp precision, and represents a technique that could be categorized under ATT&CK tactic TA0004 (Privilege Escalation) through the maintenance of unauthorized access via expired credentials. Security teams should also review their token management configurations and consider implementing more robust token validation mechanisms to prevent similar precision-related issues in other components of their cloud infrastructure.